New York City Comptroller Brad Lander launching investigation into Ophelia flood response
NEW YORK -- The city's response to the massive flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia is now under the microscope.
Comptroller Brad Lander has launched a wide-ranging investigation into the city's ability to manage the kind of extreme rainfall that shutdown subways lines, damaged basements and flooded streets last week.
It was an intense storm that turned streets into rivers, turned cars into metal floats, forced subway riders to navigate waterfalls, and flooded dozens of schools.
Lander wants to know why a city that has been repeatedly buffeted by extreme weather wasn't better prepared.
"We will be looking at the commitments the city has made around resiliency infrastructure, how we're proceeding in those commitments, what goals were set after Ida and are we hitting the timelines," Lander said.
After the remnants of Hurricane Ida caused extensive damage to homes and businesses in September 2021, the city issued a report called "The New Normal," which called for new efforts to deal with climate change and extreme weather events.
It called for things like:
- Accelerating high-level sewer upgrades
- Increasing the frequency of catch basin inspections, especially in commercial areas
- Deploying barriers in non-drainage areas
- Improving communication
The comptroller said he was especially concerned about the city's sewer system, which is only able to accommodate 1.7 inches of rain per hour. Last Friday, the city saw much more than that, with some estimates at 7 inches in 24 hours.
"Getting Tropical Storm Ophelia just two years after Ida is, unfortunately, a useful reminded of that. Things that we thought was once every 100 years could be once every two years, and we have to shift how we understand what a climate emergency is," Lander said.
- Read More: Gov. Kathy Hochul, MTA address response to flooding that upended subway and train service
Mayor Eric Adams, who visited a low-lying flood-prone neighborhood in Queens on Wednesday before flying to South America, said he supported the investigation.
"We're proud of the tireless work and swift response from thousands of city workers in response to last week's flooding," the mayor said, adding, "but there is always more work to do to ensure the safety of our city residents."
Officials will also be looking at how the city spent $180 million in federal aid to cope with the damage caused by Ida. They also voiced concern that a quarter of the aid the city got following Superstorm Sandy has not been spent.