Homeowners blame cell tower culvert for flood woes

Friday’s heavy rain was wreaking havoc for some residents in Rockland who say their municipal leaders are at fault for the constant flooding in their backyards.

News 12 Staff

Dec 21, 2018, 10:28 PM

Updated 2,176 days ago

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Friday’s heavy rain was wreaking havoc for some residents in Rockland who say their municipal leaders are at fault for the constant flooding in their backyards.
Longtime Wesley Hills resident Tova Medetsky says whenever it rains, she and her husband can't get a break from incessant flooding at their home.
“I see destruction. I see flooding. I see a property where I can't invite people home,” says Medetsky.
The family have blamed the constant flooding on a cellphone tower that was installed across the street in 2001.
Medetsky has since filed a lawsuit against Ramapo and Rockland County, submitting that a culvert underneath the cell tower was placed too high “which impeded the flow of water.”
The Medetsky family bought the property in 2002, and within five years, they say they started noticing progressive puddles. Tova says the culvert, which acts as a tunnel to drain water, was improperly installed and the house started slanting.
“I can put $50,000 into this property to put drains through, but there's no exit strategy for the water,” she says.
A spokesperson from the Village of Wesley Hills won't comment to News 12 on pending litigation. The Town of Ramapo has not returned a call to comment.