Flooding causes damage in O’side, I.P.

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Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office has announced a $1.6 million project — part of NY Rising’s Community Reconstruction Program — to “install 800 check valves on existing outfalls along Long Island’s south shore to mitigate tidal flooding after Superstorm Sandy.”

The Dec. 15 announcement came just days after another nor’easter brought more flooding to Oceanside and Island Park. In the two years since Sandy, residents have seen little improvement in drainage. The Dec. 9 storm wreaked havoc on recently repaired homes and businesses, forced the closure of Long Beach Road from Warwick Road south to the train tracks, and sent residents out to clean storm drains and down to pump out basements and crawl spaces.

Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford toured the area and said the flooding frightened her. She said she contacted Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and representatives of Cuomo’s office to try to find out why, after all this time and with all the money the federal government set aside for Sandy relief, little has been done. Ford said she discussed the funding with members of the county Department of Public Works, who told her they would be considering the hardest hit areas, including Island Park and parts of Oceanside, when they install the valves.