Mayor Adams Holds Press Conference Regarding Flood Prevention Infrastructure

By Idy Perl

Mayor Adams held a press conference earlier this week, before testing positive for COVID-19, on the progress the city is making in regard to flood prevention infrastructure. Several officials spoke at the press conference, including Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala, Department of Environmental Protection, and two state assemblymen. 

They covered some of the flood prevention infrastructure that has recently been completed, including a 200-foot flood net sensor in Louis-Simeone Park in Corona, which is one of around 200 flood net sensors that have been installed around New York City so far.  

Some of the other measures the city has taken includes fixing up the existing sewer system and infrastructure so it can function at full capacity. Although they are looking at extending the sewer system, the DEP commissioner announced that a tenth of the entire sewer system was thoroughly cleaned last year to ensure that every inch of existing space can be used to prevent flooding. 

They also announced that they’ve received $124 million in funding towards Cloudburst projects and are set to receive another $100 million. Cloudburst is a type of infrastructure in which areas like parks or baseball courts are made a bit deeper so they can collect rainwater and have time to dissipate. This takes some of the burden off the sewer system so it doesn’t overflow as fast. 

“Investing in flood infrastructure saves lives and prevents property damage, particularly in low-lying, underserved areas,” Mayor Adams said. “That is why we are investing billions of dollars in expanded infrastructure technology and safety measures, ranging from sewer upgrade to coastal resilience projects to innovate green infrastructure solutions that will divert, absorb and manage tens of millions of gallons of excess stormwater. “