NEW CITY – The Cranford Drive area of the Town of Clarkstown has been plagued with a flooding problem for over 30 years and that should come to an end with construction of a $5.1 million drainage improvement project.
Town officials said the root of the problem is an error in the food insurance mapping that occurred decades ago. During the course of a higher than average rainfall, flooding occurs with great regularity. When substantial weather events like Hurricane Floyd and Superstorm Sandy have occurred, it has been devastating to area homes.
The cost of the project will be split three ways. The state is funding $3 million, Rockland County is putting up $1 and Clarkstown is paying the balance.
“This project is of paramount importance to the people who live here and have suffered with flooding issues for years,” said Town Supervisor George Hoehmann.
As the channel is reconfigured to improve stream flow, planting of various shrubs and trees will occur to further mitigate flooding through the use of natural resources.
The goal of the project is also to enable the town to seek a flooding map reclassification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency so area homeowners can realize savings in their home insurance premiums.
