NYPD Collecting Cleaning Supplies To Tackle Queens Sewage Flood

SOUTH OZONE PARK, QUEENS — The NYPD is seeking donations of cleaning supplies to help southeast Queens residents whose homes flooded with raw sewage over the weekend.

The NYPD's 113th Precinct, which covers the part of South Ozone Park affected by the sewer blockage, announced a drive Tuesday to collect supplies for the clean-up effort now underway.

New Yorkers may call the police precinct's community affairs office at 718-712-1627 for more information on how to help.

Community Crisis
Donations of cleaning supplies are needed to help many residents suffering from the sewage backup over the weekend in the confines of the 113Pct. Please contact Tanya or Comm-Affairs for more information of how you can help 718.712.1627 ⁦#NYPDhelpingthoseinneed pic.twitter.com/gEOUIYxlP8
— NYPD 113th Precinct (@NYPD113Pct) December 3, 2019

A clogged sewer line sent raw sewage flooding into 74 homes in South Ozone Park starting early Saturday morning, leaving some residents with knee-high levels of sewage, according to Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Vincent Sapienza.

Workers got the flooding to stop the next day, after they installed a bypass system to carry wastewater around the blocked sewer line and into the Jamaica treatment plant where it normally goes.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday that the city has hired contractors to clean up any homes flooded by wastewater and would pay for repairs to damaged boilers or hot water heaters.

The cause of the blockage is under investigation by the Department of Environmental Protection and City Comptroller Scott Stringer.