Gas leaks leave hundreds in Yonkers without hot water, working stoves
YONKERS, N.Y. — A gas leak in Yonkers left hundreds of people without hot water or working stoves.
The Yonkers Housing Authority said a series of gas leaks were found Wednesday at the Palisade Towers on Schroeder Street. Con Edison cut gas service to 415 units for safety reasons, resulting in the loss of hot water and cooking gas for all the residents.
Officials believe it will take a while to fix, so they are setting up boilers and coordinating efforts to help residents to get through this. In a memo to residents, officials said the housing authority will make electric hot plates and additional microwaves available to residents starting Friday, and temporary boilers will be set up by Tuesday.
"While we understand this emergency is disruptive and an inconvenience to our families, please know the City and MHACY are working diligently to resolve this issue. We have been in continuous contact with Governor Hochul, along with our State Elected Officials, County Executive and City Council to ensure all possible resources are explored," the memo said in part.
"Some of the generators to come so that we can get hot water. Our residents can't take showers, so a couple of buildings have restored hot water, the rest will be on tomorrow and we have hot plates coming," Yonkers City Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy said.
Local groups are organizing efforts to provide food, prepaid gift cards and other aid for the community, including Saint Joe's Hospital, which has provided $10,000.
Residents can also call the housing authority helpline at 914-476-5800.
Officials said they are working to get federal funds to electrify the apartments to avoid any future gas issues, but that money has not been approved.
Yonkers residents frustrated with gas outage
Some residents finally got their hot water back Thursday night, but others are still without it, including Margaret Encarancion and her 2-month-old child.
"She likes her warm bottles ... I can't even boil my baby's water," Encarancion said.
It's been a big problem as parents like her try to cope.
"I took the coldest shower last night. I couldn't even bear. I couldn't even wash my hair. That's how real it is. Look at me, I look crazy. Not being able to cook in the morning for the kids is crazier," resident Makayla Byrd said.
"I can't bake my cake for my niece's birthday party tomorrow, so I have to go a bakery. We can't cook hot foods. We have to order out," resident Tatiana Morales said.
"They got to break ground, do all the piping. That takes time and money, and let's see what happens," resident Ana Rivera said.