Nassau to Investigate Frequent Flooding in the Five Towns

Nassau County will soon commence a “major study” to find a solution to recurring flooding in parts of the Five Towns, it recently announced.

Many areas of the Five Towns are low lying, which the county says creates a “bowl-like effect that increases water levels faster than other areas.” There has been an uptick in major rainfall events in recent years, causing storm drains to become overwhelmed at a faster rate, according to the county.

“In the last several years, residents in Cedarhurst, Lawrence, Inwood, Hewlett, and Woodmere have seen a dramatic increase in street and home flooding incidents in times of serious rainfall or major tidal events,” County Executive Edward Mangano said in a release. “This is a very serious issue, and we cannot allow any solution to go unexplored, which is why I have ordered a study to commence this year to find a solution for the residents of these communities.”

Mangano said he and members of his administration have met with local residents and elected officials to speak about the flooding. The county has also discussed utilizing federal and state Superstorm Sandy funding for the project.

“Excessive flooding was a serious issue in the Five Towns well before Superstorm Sandy,” Legislator Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) said. “We're at a point where even a moderately heavy rain can cause severe property damage and render crucial evacuation routes such as Peninsula Boulevard and Rockaway Turnpike impassable.”