STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Nearly a year after the remnants of Hurricane Ida dropped record levels of rainfall on New York City, inundating homes and killing at least 13 people, the city comptroller denied every homeowner’s negligence claim filed to the office.
The denial of 4,703 citywide claims, first reported by The City, were based on a 1907 ruling that deemed municipal governments are not liable for damage from “extraordinary and excessive rainfalls,” according to a denial letter provided to the Advance/SILive.com.
“As a result, the City of New York is not responsible for losses arising from Hurricane Ida, and your claim must be denied,” read the letter.
A total of 650 claims from people who listed their address in Staten Island were among those denied, said the city comptroller’s office.
The storm — which struck Staten Island the night of Sept. 1 — dropped more than three inches of precipitation on Central Park in just one hour, overwhelming the city’s sewer system and causing widespread flooding that severely damaged homes. The city’s sewer system is designed to handle around two inches of rainfall per hour.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued more than $158 million to New York City residents, including more than $23 million to Staten Island, according to data provided by FEMA spokesman Don Caetano.
The average citywide payout amounted to around $2,500.
“FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is designed to help disaster survivors with basic critical needs such as a safe, sanitary, and functional place to live during recovery from a disaster,” said Caetano. “It is not designed to make survivors whole and is not a substitute for insurance coverage. Insurance continues to be the first line of defense.”
However, city residents looking for more help to offset damages caused by the storm sought negligence claims through the city comptroller’s office, only to be shut down by a round of denial letters.
While City Comptroller Brad Lander’s office denied the claims, it did note that residents deserve more support traversing through the often-complex systems that offer help to at-need individuals.
“I believe that the City should do more to support New Yorkers to navigate the complex array of relief programs and insurance paperwork that follow natural disasters,” read the letter.
Lander said his office is proposing a “Disaster Recovery Center” to help residents better understand the aid and support the submission of applications.
“I’m sorry that such a center did not exist in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Hopefully by creating such a center, it will be possible to help future New Yorkers facing disasters (regardless of whether or not the City is liable for damage),” said Lander.