By KAREN RICE
Foot-deep puddles dominated many of the streets, sidewalks and backyards across the Five Towns, making it difficult for pedestrians and motorists to get around. Many drivers were forced to battle the cold water which came up to their car doors in some areas, and a few daring pedestrians braved the excessive rain to continue their shopping.
When we have that much water come down in such a short amount of time, it takes 20 to 30 minutes for the [drainage] systems to drain certain areas, said Michael Perone, deputy administrator of the Village of Lawrence. The systems are not designed to take that much water all at once.
Perone added that the drainage system eventually caught up with the rain flow and no major flood damage had been reported to him.
Andrew Parise, mayor of the Village of Cedarhurst, did not feel the flooding in Cedarhurst was unusual and said the only time residents will encounter serious flooding problems is when it rains heavily during high tide.
The situation on Friday was not abnormal, Parise said. The only time there could be a real problem is during high tide. When it rains and it is high tide at the same time
