Congressional lawmakers mourn victims, vow help after ‘unprecedented’ flooding from Tropical Storm Ida
Members of Congress representing Queens bemoaned the damage and death caused by “unprecedented” flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida in the city’s hard-hit borough.
Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) said neighborhoods throughout her Flushing-based district were hit hard by flooding as well as downed trees late Wednesday.
“It is devastating to learn about those who lost their lives due to the weather,” Meng said in a statement. “I am keeping them and their loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said she was physically canvassing the damage in her district, which includes Jackson Heights, Corona and Elmhurst.
AOC noted that the storm was most dangerous for poor and working-class families living in basement apartments that are particularly vulnerable to flash flooding.
“The people MOST at risk during flash floods here are those living in off-the-books basement dwellings that don’t meet the safety codes necessary to save lives,” she said on Twitter. “These are working-class, immigrant, and low-income people & families.
At least twelve New Yorkers were killed when the storm barreled into the city, dumping more than six inches of rain in a short period of time.
The toll was highest in Queens, where at least eight people died and low-lying areas were inundated by never-before-seen flash flooding.
Meng urged President Biden to declare a major disaster in New York, a move that could free up more federal help for the recovery effort.
The lawmaker also reminded residents to keep track of all storm-related expenses for possible future reimbursement.
The district of Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) includes some of the most flood-prone neighborhoods of Springfield Gardens and South Jamaica.
He called on Congress to pass Biden’s infrastructure bill that would fund efforts to defend against future storms and battle climate change.
“Queens cannot wait any longer,” Meeks wrote. “We need action NOW.”
“There has never been a greater need to build climate-resilient infrastructure,” added Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.)
