Once again, it’s time for New Yorkers to come together
New Yorkers are still feeling the immense impact and loss of life due to Hurricane Ida. Now is the time to come together to address issues of climate change and weakening infrastructure in bold, innovative ways -- the way New Yorkers know how.
Citizens Committee for New York City (CitizensNYC) has heard from more than 200 grassroots leaders and small businesses in our network since the storm. The overwhelming majority are saying that these are their top challenges across all five boroughs:
excessive flooding
loss of access to public transportation
loss of access to electricity
CitizensNYC is here not only to help New Yorkers get back on their feet during this time of crisis, but also to amplify their voices as they develop solutions to combat these issues that will no doubt have to be dealt with in the future. CitizensNYC was founded during a time of crisis of the 1970s, and has been there for New Yorkers after 9/11, Super Storm Sandy, the murder of George Floyd, and countless other times when New Yorkers needed us. Today, New Yorkers are counting on us as we actively respond with relief efforts around COVID-19 and Hurricane Ida.
Right now our team is assessing impact and listening to New Yorkers. Let us be your partner in hearing what neighborhood leaders are doing and where they need support from local government. We have funded emergency prep teams/projects/training in the past, and will continue to do so to help New Yorkers rebuild and reimagine New York City.
Here are a few experiences and solutions that community leaders within our network are sharing:
"We need more solar street lighting and storage in communities of color, especially, Springfield Gardens South. It would help alleviate an overloaded electrical power grid and continue to provide services (energy for battery operated items - phones, vehicles, mini transport devices; street lighting, etc.) when needed most. Establishment of better sewage systems, rain gardens, and other green water run off areas throughout communities of color, maintenance and installation of catch basins, etc." - Springfield Garden, Queens
"There needs to be an emergency hotline for city employees to call that informs workers which departments within each agency are closed or for those who are authorized to work remotely. If one can work from home during a crisis that should be indicated the night before or at 6 am when workers start their commute.” - Leonor Cordova, Far Rockaway Queens
“I got over three feet of water that came in VERY rapidly in the basement, causing us to lose all furniture in the basement. I broke the two bones in my forearm slipping in the flood water. The RUMC ER was flooded and had to be evacuated, all computers were down, and I waited 12 hours for the orthopedist who never came. My fracture was finally reduced and splinted by a PA and I was released after 17 hours in the ER. The basement has to be gutted. Doors are already moldy, all drywall and insulation soaked and starting to mold. We have never had a situation like this before.” - Mary Hernandez, Staten Island
“Assist homeowners without flood insurance to get the resources needed to address flood damage and with repairs.”- Betty Atcw
“I am well. But holding appreciation for this survey as the community feels more connected when our concerns are viewed as importantly our city.” - Enid Knight, Brooklyn
"I'm writing on behalf of family and friends who live on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Nine years after Hurricane Sandy the area around Baruch Houses and Lillian Wald still do not have any significant flood protection. Nine years and NOTHING. I remember watching flood waters roll up to Avenue D and 6th Street, like waves lapping on a beach; visiting families living in Baruch Houses on Delancey and FDR, the waterline marks halfway up the living room wall of their ground floor apartments; no electricity to sidewalk lamps for months after the hurricane, creating dangerous pedestrian conditions; photos of kids swimming on South Street, hip deep in water, on a street covered by the East River which had overflowed its banks. Each year, as the weather continues to worsen and devastating hurricanes become the norm, our community continues to be placed at risk...In summary, the Lower East Side needs flood protection, specifically and especially, the areas bordered by NYCHA housing developments.” - Nancy Avilés-Jones, Lower East Side Manhattan
“Start a standard practice of deep cleaning of all catch basins in all neighborhoods, but starting with flood prone neighborhoods first. For instance, most neighborhoods near the FDR highway in East Harlem are prone to flooding. This is not about simply sweeping leaves and trash away from the grate, but lifting the grates and digging out debris that collects beneath the sidewalk. When I grew up in the Bronx, there was a great community group that routinely requested the deep cleaning of catch basins in their neighborhood. If the NW Bronx could get it done in the bad old days of NYC bankruptcy, why can't we do it NOW instead of waiting for chaos and loss of life?” - Teresa Bailey, East Harlem Manhattan
“It appears we do not have a plan in place for the underrepresented communities (homeless, poor people and elderly). Since Hurricane Katrina we have seen mass loss of life and no effective plan in place for underserved communities in times of emergencies.” - Jaqua Curiel, Morrisania Bronx
“I live in NYCHA. This building infrastructure is horrible. I felt like it was raining inside my apartment. A lot of things got damaged.” - Bella Calderon, Morrisania Bronx
“We had no idea the water would be coming up out of our sink and toilet due to local drainage issues. I definitely felt that our community and our city were all under-prepared for this! If sewer systems can get so easily backed up, what is yet to come?” - Thea Grant, DUMBO Brooklyn