Residents of Sleepy Hollow and surrounding neighborhoods voiced their frustrations during a recent government meeting, highlighting ongoing flooding issues that have plagued the area. Multiple speakers shared personal accounts of repeated flooding, with one resident noting that their home has flooded four times, even without significant rainfall events. Concerns were raised about the impact of infrastructure changes, particularly the filling of a canal with a 36-inch pipe, which residents believe has exacerbated flooding conditions.
George Sensoryk, a local property owner, urged the council to conduct a thorough review of drainage systems in the area, specifically mentioning outdated pipes and insufficient drainage ditches that contribute to flooding. He expressed concern for his tenants and the financial burden of repeated repairs, emphasizing the need for immediate attention to the drainage infrastructure.
Beth Forbes, another resident, reported severe damage to her home and those of her neighbors, with repair costs reaching up to $90,000 following recent storms. She criticized the city's response to flooding, describing the storm systems as under-engineered and questioning the adequacy of the city's assessments following significant weather events.
The meeting underscored a growing sense of urgency among residents for the city to address these flooding challenges, with many expressing a desire for proactive measures rather than reactive solutions. As the community grapples with the implications of climate change and infrastructure inadequacies, the call for comprehensive evaluations and improvements to the drainage systems has never been more pressing.