$2 Million for Flooding Mitigation

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) today announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide more than $2 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to fix retaining walls in Westchester County destroyed by the April 2007 Nor’easter.

“The April 2007 Nor’easter caused massive damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure in Westchester County, including the collapse of retaining walls protecting roads from overflowing rivers,” said Lowey. “I am pleased the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will enable the Army Corps of Engineers to repair this critical flooding mitigation infrastructure.”

The Army Corps of Engineers will receive $750,000 to repair the retaining wall along Yonkers Avenue in Tuckahoe. The Army Corps of Engineers will also receive $1.3 million to repair other retaining walls along the Bronx River Parkway in Westchester County. These emergency streambank protection measures will prevent future heavy storms from overwhelming damaged retaining walls and flooding roads.

This funding is in addition to more than $8 million Lowey has secured for the Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate regional flooding and develop a comprehensive plan to protect the region, as well as hundreds of thousands for municipalities to upgrade sewer and drainage systems.