Community Discussion On Flooding Solutions

Notes from Community Meeting in South Brooklyn

[Updated July 17 2024]

What happens when you get a bunch of people in a room who are experiencing flooding? They want to talk: experiences, theories, questions, solutions, and ideas on how to prepare for more water (see list below).

Over 30 people gathered in South Brooklyn recently to share flooding stories and solutions as part of the City of Water Day 2024 event: “When The Waterfront Is At Your Door.”

Thank you to many of you who showed up on a rainy Saturday morning!

Also appreciate the community groups who shared it, especially Forth on Fourth Avenue (FOFA) that helped us organize.

A few highlights below…

Sharing Stories / Listening

• Gathered around tables, wewent around to hear “short versions” of people’s flooding stories.

• It wasn’t hard to get people talking: many said they had been in the area for years but it felt like it was getting worse recently. We heard from local businesses, co-op members, homeowners, renters.

• There were questions about what they should do versus what city should do, and the capacity (and reality) of the city’s sewer systems.

• A few people remarked that it felt good to be able to share their story publicly as it can at times feel like a long private struggle - sometimes scary: “every time it rains now, I get anxious.” #notalone

• Comparing flooding issues, some people realized while their situation was bad…some others had it far worse. 😬

Turning To Solutions

• After listening, we turned the conversation to solutions.

• People shared what they found out and what they did in their buildings (inside and outside, strategies for water drainage, pumping, holding or re-directing). Big questions around techniques, budgets, effectiveness.

• In addition to protecting their property, some people take on the added job of clearing debris from street drains (which the city asks people to do to help).

• NY State Assembly Members Robert Carroll and Jo Anne Simon were there to listen, and also shared what they were doing to help address more flooding.

  • Carroll recently got a “Right To Know”flooding history disclosure law passed to protect buyers and seller, which we wrote about here.

  • Simon is attempting to get funding for a larger hydrology study of the area to help people see where water can come from and how storm water flows (above and below ground).

• A few ideas generated by the larger group discussion below…

Some Ideas Generated

1. List of quality local experts (various skills)

2. A larger hydrology study on how water behaves in our area

3. Gov't incentives for flood mitigation work (like solar, green roofs)

4. Stories of how people manage flooding in different situations

5. Access to an engineer as shared community resource

6. Search an address/block and see assessment & recommendations

7. Community task force to advocate for specific ideas

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Event Feedback

If you attended the event and would like to share your thoughts (5 questions), please do so here: click here to provide feedback.💭

Next Steps

Organizers Forth on Fourth Avenue (FOFA) and The City Sponge plan to take what we heard and prioritize some actions where we can help in our respective roles. Likely to include steps for both short term and more medium/long-term ideas.

Either way, we see that people find value in sharing flooding stories and tips.

Also stay informed via Instagram:

More On Event

WHY: We have a lot of amazing waterfront in Brooklyn, but also a lot of flooding. Are you thinking about how to live with more water? So are we. 😅

TOPIC: When The Water Is At Your Door: South BK Conversation on Flooding

DESCRIPTION: Come share your story, compare notes, hear how others are learning to manage water at their homes or businesses.

WHEN/WHERE: July 13 for a City of Water Day event at The Roof - a open-air cafe above Whole Foods and overlooking the Gowanus Canal.

INVOLVED: