Hochul says infrastructure, drainage systems partially to blame for Ida destruction

Local officials believe some of the deaths and destruction caused by Hurricane Ida are a result of infrastructure problems.

News 12 Staff

Sep 2, 2021, 9:55 PM

Updated 978 days ago

Share:

Police say 12 New Yorkers died in residential basements during the remnants of Ida, and it’s possible they may have drowned.
In Woodside, a 2-year-old boy, alongside a 48-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man, were found dead in the floodwaters.
Late Wednesday evening in Elmhurst, police found an 86-year-old woman in the water at a home on 84th Street.
News 12 investigative reporter Sabrina Franza looked into the buildings to see if there were any long-standing complaints or violations that could have been resolved before tragedy struck.
None of the six addresses News 12 found had any outstanding complaints.
Gov. Kathy Hochul addressed the state, with Mayor Bill de Blasio nearby, saying the flood issues will not stop unless we can address our crumbling infrastructure.
"Before we were worried about the coastal areas, now it's about what’s happening in the streets...The drainage systems that need to be enhanced and all the resiliency you can bet. Because of climate change, unfortunately this is something we’re going to have to deal with, with great regularity," said Hochul.
News 12 has been in contact with numerous departments, as well as trying to contact each landlord individually for answers about what went wrong, and is still waiting to hear back.


More from News 12
2:56
VOTE 2024: Latimer makes his case for 16th Congressional District seat

VOTE 2024: Latimer makes his case for 16th Congressional District seat

2:18
Summerlike afternoon with highs in 80, rain and big cool down coming

Summerlike afternoon with highs in 80, rain and big cool down coming

2:02
Day laborers banned from seeking work in parking lot of New Rochelle Home Depot protest

Day laborers banned from seeking work in parking lot of New Rochelle Home Depot protest

1:40
Opening statements begin in Town of Wallkill murder-for-hire trial

Opening statements begin in Town of Wallkill murder-for-hire trial

1:58
4 teens face hate crime charges in Ramapo, accused of antisemitic drive-by harassment

4 teens face hate crime charges in Ramapo, accused of antisemitic drive-by harassment

1:10
Parents, NYCLU rally in Albany to demand changes in E. Ramapo schools

Parents, NYCLU rally in Albany to demand changes in E. Ramapo schools

0:27
Rye police: Car burglary highlights need to lock vehicles

Rye police: Car burglary highlights need to lock vehicles

0:48
Rockland community unites to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day

Rockland community unites to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day

1:46
Fire officials: Fatal Ossining fire doesn't appear to be suspicious

Fire officials: Fatal Ossining fire doesn't appear to be suspicious

0:30
‘We are heartbroken.’ Loved ones search for answers in case of missing New Paltz woman

‘We are heartbroken.’ Loved ones search for answers in case of missing New Paltz woman

0:19
Rabies alert issued in Sullivan County after fox tests positive

Rabies alert issued in Sullivan County after fox tests positive

1:14
Headlines: Woman stabbed in White Plains, fatal crash on I-84, body of missing guardsman found

Headlines: Woman stabbed in White Plains, fatal crash on I-84, body of missing guardsman found

0:40
New York honors fallen police officers with memorial wall dedication

New York honors fallen police officers with memorial wall dedication

0:28
Trial of Wallkill man suspected of hiring someone to kill his neighbor begins today

Trial of Wallkill man suspected of hiring someone to kill his neighbor begins today

0:32
SUNY Purchase agrees to suspend disciplinary consequences for protester arrested during campus demonstrations

SUNY Purchase agrees to suspend disciplinary consequences for protester arrested during campus demonstrations

0:38
Local thrift store hits $4 million in charitable giving to Northern Westchester hospital

Local thrift store hits $4 million in charitable giving to Northern Westchester hospital

0:31
Orange County school districts poised to implement wards for school board elections

Orange County school districts poised to implement wards for school board elections

0:30
New Rochelle maintains current elementary school start times despite cost concerns

New Rochelle maintains current elementary school start times despite cost concerns

0:21
Small business owners recognized for contributions during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Small business owners recognized for contributions during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

1:08
Sleepy Hollow music festival to debut with indie rock band Cold War Kids headlining

Sleepy Hollow music festival to debut with indie rock band Cold War Kids headlining