October 14, 2005

Contact: Charles G. Sturcken (718) 595-6600

DEP Responds To Record Rainfalls in the Five Boroughs

The Department of Environmental Protection has responded to the recent record rainfalls by deploying extra crews to clear flooded streets, highways and catch basins throughout the City.

Commissioner Emily Lloyd said, “The extraordinary weather the City has experienced has put the DEP in high gear deploying extra crews since last weekend. Work crews have been held over on routine shifts to respond to over 3200 complaints we have received concerning flooding. The public should be aware that the crews must respond first to sensitive locations such as hospitals, schools and other institutions. We ask the public for their patience as the crews work proceeds.“

The Department has deployed 185 extra personnel to perform the work attributed to flooding in the City. The complaints break down to 1658 clogged catch basins, 1250 sewer back-ups and 72 claims of highway flooding and over 250 calls about street flooding.