STORM WATCH

Snow, wintry mix & rain showers arrive overnight from an early-winter storm

Flood-prone Westchester County communities prepare ahead of heavy rains for the weekend

In the City of Yonkers, the area where Executive Boulevard meets the Sawmill River Parkway has historically seen a lot of flooding.

News 12 Staff

Mar 23, 2024, 12:40 AM

Updated 257 days ago

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Flood-prone Westchester County communities prepared Friday night for potential flooding ahead of this weekend's inclement weather.
In the City of Yonkers, the area where Executive Boulevard meets the Sawmill River Parkway has historically seen a lot of flooding.
The Yonkers Department of Public Works distributed sandbags during the day ahead of the potential flooding.
The department also has water pumps ready to go and extra crews on the roads just in case.
Recently, a group of lawmakers toured that area in Yonkers and several others across Mount Pleasant, Elmsford, Ardsley and Hastings-on-Hudson. The looked at areas historically hit hard by Sawmill River flooding.
Westchester County Legislator David Imamura organized the tour.
Legislator David Tubiolo went on that tour and said it was an opportunity to get eyes on the ground to see the work that needs to get done and to identify any new work.
He also said that the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation is conducting a study on flooding which should provide further insight.
Tubiolo wants to reassure residents and business owners that their elected officials are working on finding solutions.
"I understand and relate, there is flooding in my areas at times. And I know its frustrating and stressful, but we are making progress, and we are continuing to make progress, and we are working together as a team. But full disclosure, it takes time," he said.
As communities watch for potential flooding, officials warned residents to prepare and stay home, if at all possible, during this storm for safety.
"Come down and get some sandbags if you're in an area that gets water. Put them in your basement, put them at your garage door, put them in font of your rear door at your home and just be careful," said Yonkers Department of Public Works manager Brian Napoletano. "Stay home, stay off the roads. If it's flooding, don't drive through it. If you see water pooling in the road, don't step in it. You might fall into a manhole."