Flood Control Project Gets Underway In West Nyack

WEST NYACK, NY — Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann and the Town Board welcomed Congressman Mondaire Jones, County Executive Ed Day, members of Clarkstown’s state legislative delegation, and residents on Tuesday to a groundbreaking ceremony for the long-awaited Klein Avenue Levee Improvement Project in West Nyack.

The $6.3 million project will alleviate the flooding incidents that have plagued the area for more than 30 years. Increases in rainfall and storm severity have increased the flood elevation of the Hackensack River, reducing the effectiveness of the existing Klein Ave levee, which has been overtopped by storms many times, most recently Superstorm Sandy.

These improvements aim to contain the flood flows of the Hackensack River and protect the nearby community and businesses.

“The Klein Avenue Levee Improvement Project will significantly harden a number of key infrastructure assets in West Nyack to ensure that the devastating flooding that occurred in the past, will become a thing of the past for residents and businesses in the area,” Hoehmann said in a news release afterward. “I want to thank Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Mondaire Jones, the dedicated team at the State’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and the County of Rockland for their support of this project.”

The cost of the project is being shared between the town, Rockland County and FEMA. The total cost of the project is $6.3 million, which will be funded by FEMA ($4,798,713), Rockland County ($200,000) and Town of Clarkstown ($1,325,000).

In addition to immediate flood mitigation, the project will allow homes in the area to be removed from the flood plain or have the designation changed so those homeowners can realize significant savings in their flood insurance costs. Some residents pay as much as $10,000 a year in flood insurance.

“The peace of mind that is going to come every time we have a nor'easter you can’t put a price on that and I am grateful to Supervisor Hoehmann and the Town and all for making this project happen," Klein Avenue Resident Jane Stormes said.

This project is another example of Clarkstown working collaboratively with state, federal and county government to modernize aging infrastructure of vital importance to the region, Hoehmann said.

"As we work to Build Back Better from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, this is exactly the kind of project we should be prioritizing - updating our infrastructure while creating good-paying jobs right here in our community," Jones said. "We must take bold action to address the climate crisis, which poses a grave threat to all of us. I’ll keep fighting to ensure we do, and I’m thrilled that the improved Klein Avenue Levee will provide protection and peace of mind to my constituents in Clarkstown and beyond.”

The Klein Avenue Levee Improvement Project is expected to take 12 months to complete. It includes the replacement of a bridge downriver on Western Highway that will provide more capacity for water flow. The bridge replacement will cost $2 million and will result in a detour and temporary closure of Western Highway later this year.

“Collaboration between all levels of government is critical as we continue to work on necessary infrastructure upgrades like the Levee Improvement here in West Nyack,” said Rockland County Executive Ed Day. “My thanks to Congressman Jones, the Town of Clarkstown and New York State for their assistance on this project. Residents here will soon be able to rest easier when heavy rain is in the forecast.”