Plan to address street flooding in the works

A master plan that would provide a roadmap for drainage infrastructure upgrades on local streets in south Seaford and Wantagh is in the works, thanks to funding provided through the New York Rising Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program.

The Town of Hempstead, acting as the sub-recipient, will receive $400,000 in CDBG funding, for the areas of Seaford, Wantagh, Bellmore and Merrick to come up with a plan to combat the widespread flooding caused by Superstorm Sandy.

The study, first proposed by the Seaford-Wantagh New York Rising Community Reconstruction Committee and its Bellmore-Merrick counterpart, will survey and inspect the location, condition and elevation of each community’s drainage systems south of Merrick Road, including outfalls, bulkheads, underground pipes, manholes and catch basins.

The study will also examine the repair and installation of check valves in key locations. In Wantagh, the study will look at Bayview and Wantagh Avenues, and in Seaford at Willoughby, Neptune and Washington avenues and Seaman’s Neck Road.

The Town of Hempstead, as sub-recipient, will hire an engineering firm to complete the study. The New York Rising office will offer the town technical assistance to ensure the town meets all federal guidelines required by HUD, which is providing the money.

-Laura Schofer