Mayor Mamdani announces investment to protect NYC's vulnerable areas from flooding

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- In the 13 years since superstorm Sandy slammed into the Tri-state area, New York City has been working on ways to protect vulnerable areas like Lower Manhattan from flooding. That includes putting up flood gates to keep surging water out.

On Friday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the city is investing $43 million to hire 69 additional staff members to the Bureau of Coastal Resilience.

The team will be responsible for maintaining and operating 100 flood gates along South Street on the Lower East Side once construction is complete. The gates can be activated in two minutes with the flip of a switch.

The $1.4 billion East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) project is one of the 15 infrastructure projects the bureau is overseeing since superstorm Sandy. The administration has invested $108 million to improve the city's drainage network.

Efforts to raise part of the South Street waterfront to 11 feet above sea level are also underway.

And in Red Hook, flip up gates and targeted street elevations aim to protect against severe flooding.

Back on the Lower East Side, longtime residents are hoping these initiatives will fortify the community.

The ESCR project is expected to be complete summer 2027.