Mayor’s Flood Update Report

by Cindy Goldstein -

At the October 20^th Flood Mitigation Committee (FMC) meeting Mayor Sharon Torres presented a flood mitigation update report to about 20 people in the Village Court Room.  See HERE.

Chair Peggy Jackson welcomed the Mayor and introduced her presentation to the community.

Mayor Torres made it clear that this was a “non-technical update” about where we are now and where we are going with flood mitigation projects.  She started by outlining the multiple causes of flooding in the Village: low channel capacity, small bridge openings and pipes in the rivers, encroachment of buildings, urbanization of rivers and poor flow at the confluence.

Flood water comes from rain, the coastline, upstream communities and in some areas an aquifer. 

ACE is in Charge

Only one Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) project – the removal of the Ward Avenue bridge – is 90% designed.  Attorneys are working on multiple MOUs (memoranda of understanding) to coordinate the various agencies involved.  Federal funds, while stalled right now, are still committed but the Village is proceeding on the premise that it’s better to start something rather than wait.

These projects require coordination between four levels of government bureaucracy; Federal, NYS DEC, Westchester County and the Village.  Before construction can begin, the details must be worked out and legal documents signed. 

Torres remarked that the ACE project is only addressing the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake Rivers.  Beaver Swamp Brook is not included because those projects did not meet the ACE cost-benefit analysis.

Green Projects May Be Implemented

Torres said that ACE will modify their original plan with new techniques and green flood mitigation measures as appropriate.  The original ACE plan included large areas in the river to be lined with concrete to move water more quickly to Long Island Sound and avoid the backup of water into adjacent areas to the rivers.  Since that plan was issued in 2017 there have been new technologies and standards to move water away from people and property.

The point is to create capacity, and Torres described four measures to do that: flood benching, removing obstructions, removing/widening bridges and widening and deepening the river channel. 

Specific Projects Targeted

The Tompkins Avenue bridge (which has been closed for several years due to safety concerns) presents various challenges including the fact that there is a pipe running underneath the bridge.  FEMA has twice denied grant applications, but other sources of funding are being sought.

Ward Avenue Park will have flood benching with money provided from a GRG grant awarded in 2024.  (Flood benching is an area adjacent to a river that provides space for water to spread out during a flood event.)  The Ward Avenue bridge work is part of the ACE project and will be removed by Westchester County at their expense with agreement from ACE. 

Anita Lane Bridge is owned by Westchester County and has a sewer pipe within the bridge.  Design and engineering are scheduled for early 2026.  The bridge will be removed and replaced.

Halstead Avenue Bridge is owned by Westchester County.  This bridge has a huge abutment with two 90 degree turns that significantly impede water flow.  It is expected that there will be a 12-15 month design phase starting in 2026.

There is some money available from the 2024 Green Resiliency Grant (GRG) for flood benching that could be used to address flooding at the confluence of both rivers near the train station.

Center Avenue Bridge – a grant was requested that would remove the bridge and open the riverbank.  Traffic would be rerouted to the recently renovated Waverly Avenue Bridge.

Washingtonville Drainiage Study is a plan intended to move water away from the Industrial Area and Washingtonville.  No final report has been issued yet but the cost is estimated at $6 million to add catch basins and repair/remove pipes.  Funding has been requested from Westchester County.

Seawall at Harbor Island – one and a half miles of sea wall is collapsing.  The Village will soon issue an RFP for a study expected to cost about $600K.  Funding awarded in 2022 will be applied ($450K).

Beaver Swamp Brook – There are two high risk areas in the Village.  The Continental View walking bridge where Rye Town owns the bridge and the Village owns the pipe underneath.  The two communities have submitted a joint application for funds for the project.  The bridge is expected to be removed with replacement contingent upon funding.  Total cost is estimated at $2 million.

East Boston Post Road is owned by NYS, and a funding request has been submitted.  This project may be folded into the NYS Department of Transportation project safe streets plan.

Aggressive Grant Applications

Approximately $12 million of grants are pending and Torres is hopeful the Village will receive these funds.  They are in addition to the 2024 $6.6 million grant already received.

Roles and Responsibilities

Torres outlined the roles of the Board of Trustees, staff, FMC and the community.  FMC is tasked with identifying flood mitigation projects both within and outside the Village and engage the community to hear their ideas and keep everyone informed.

Summary

Torres summarized that although the various projects aren’t moving fast enough they are moving as quickly as they can.  Regular meetings occur with ACE, Westchester County and the Village and Torres listed the next steps – many of which will be taken by the Village – and include the revitalization of LISWIC (Long Island Watershed Intermunicipal Council) a joint cooperative where multiple municipalities band together to tackle flooding.

Torres reported that representatives from Westchester County are expected to attend the Monday, November 24^th Board of Trustees meeting to give an update and answer questions.