Saturday, September 24, 2011

Heavy Rains Cause Flooding, Airport Delays



A Staten Island neighborhood hit hard by Irene got a case of déjà vu Friday.

Dongan Hills between Haven and Hunter Avenues turned into a small pond.

Residents said most of the houses in the area were built over the past six years, but no one ever expanded the drainage system, so there is no place for the water to go.

"They say that the pipe is small to handle all the water, and it's really the only drain pipe available. If you look at the pipe over there, it doesn't work," said one resident.

"Everything is sinking. Cars come through here, they wash the soil away. Everything is getting rotten over here from the waters," said another.

Residents say they have been petitioning the city to widen the area's catch basins and improve the drainage system, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

The heavy rains also caused travel delays at area airports.

Travelers heading to Newark, LaGuardia or John F. Kennedy Airports were advised to call their carriers ahead of time. As some rain is also expected this weekend, further delays might be possible.

The weather also led to a postponement of Friday's Yankees versus Red Sox game. It will be made up as the second game of a day-night doubleheader on Sunday.

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