Bronx flooding: Heavy rain causes partial wall collapse in the Bronx; 2 families displaced
NEW YORK -- Sunday's nonstop rain was too much for a building in the Bronx.
It caused part of a wall to collapse in Fordham Heights, forcing two families out of their apartments.
One of the families that was displaced said they heard a loud noise, saw the damage, and rushed straight out of their home.
"My mom was so desperate, crying because of us," said Linelsa Cabrera. "Oh my God, what are we going to do."
The Cabrera family felt complete shock and fear during Sunday's heavy rainfall when a portion of a retaining wall came crashing down, bringing damage straight into one of their bedrooms. The debris broke into a wall and a window.
"We saw that our window was broken. The walls were broken too, so we evacuated immediately. We took our clothes," said resident Steven Cabrera.
"I was taking clothes like crazy, putting them in my backpack, and just go out in the rain," Linelsa Cabrera said.
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After evacuating Sunday night, the family returned Monday morning with suitcases and bags in hand, although they tell CBS2 the landlord has not given them a potential date they will be allowed back inside.
"We have to wait until the landlord came, and he will give us explanations, what is the next step to do," Steven Cabrera said.
Police say the retaining wall collapsed around 6 p.m. Sunday at 2085 Valentine Avenue, causing damage to the six story apartment building and damage to a three story apartment building behind it along River Avenue.
At the time, a flood warning was in effect throughout the Bronx.
"Heavy. A lot of rain. All that water, but thank God we're still alive," one person said.
For now, residents at the apartment building along Valentine Avenue say they have no gas or electricity as they wait for answers as to when cleanup and repairs will take place.
The building's super said in addition to those living in the two apartments that were directly hit, they're asking all of the residents living on the first floor to not return home until it is deemed completely safe.
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