EAST NEW YORK CLOUDBURST PILOT

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is addressing flooding from sudden, heavy rainfall, known as Cloudbursts, through its city-wide Cloudburst Management Program Pilot program. These intense storms can overwhelm sewer systems, leading to surface flooding, property damage, and neighborhood disruptions. These pilot programs implement blended green and gray infrastructure systems to successfully address Cloudburst impacts.

The East New York Hub is one of the initial pilot sites. Centered around Linden Park and its surrounding roadways, a range of improvements will tie together into one large stormwater management system for the neighborhood. Sewer pipe improvements with underground storage tanks, along with green solutions such as trees, rain gardens, and permeable surfaces will absorb, store, and redirect stormwater.

A key components of the Cloudburst Hub design process was stakeholder engagement. Throughout the project extensive outreach to community members and local businesses was conducted. To reach the community webinars, open houses, and online surveys were used to ensure local residents and stakeholders helped shape the design.

Since the program’s launch, DEP has also introduced Cloudburst Hubs in Corona and Kissena Park in Queens, Parkchester/Morris Park in the Bronx, and Brownsville and Homecrest in Brooklyn. Through a combination of smart infrastructure and community-driven planning, the program helps neighborhoods across the city manage intense storms, protect property, and build long-term resilience.