Fauzia J. Choudhury:
Queens lawmakers are raising alarm over the growing threat of extreme flooding and its impact on small businesses, homes and local communities across the borough.
City Council Member Shekar Krishnan has highlighted the increasingly serious flooding problems facing Queens, warning that aging infrastructure, overwhelmed sewer systems and more intense storms are creating significant risks for neighborhoods and businesses.
Flooding has historically been concentrated in low-lying and coastal areas, but increasingly severe rainfall events have caused flooding in neighborhoods that previously experienced fewer problems. Officials say the borough’s aging drainage and sewer infrastructure is struggling to handle heavier rainfall, leaving homes and businesses vulnerable to costly damage.
Small businesses can be particularly exposed to flooding because even a temporary closure can result in lost revenue, damaged inventory, equipment losses and significant cleanup costs.
Krishnan has called for greater investment in flood mitigation and infrastructure improvements to protect Queens communities from the worsening effects of extreme weather.
The issue has also drawn attention to the need for stronger federal, state and city partnerships. Funding for flood-prevention projects has become a major concern as officials seek long-term solutions to protect neighborhoods from increasingly frequent and severe storms.
Queens has already experienced devastating flooding in recent years, including during Hurricane Ida, and officials warn that climate-related changes could make extreme rainfall and flooding an even greater challenge in the years ahead.
For local business owners, the stakes extend beyond property damage. Repeated flooding can disrupt operations, threaten employees and customers, destroy merchandise and place additional financial pressure on businesses that are already operating on narrow margins.
Community leaders are urging government agencies to prioritize resilient infrastructure, improve drainage systems and ensure that small businesses receive adequate support as Queens prepares for a future of increasingly extreme weather.
“Flooding is no longer an occasional problem—it is becoming a serious economic and community challenge for Queens,” officials have warned, emphasizing the need for action before the next major storm strikes.
