Lindenhurst residents left to deal with flooding, corrosion, rats along with snow cleanup

While the people who live in a Lindenhurst neighborhood south of Montauk Highway are no strangers to street flooding after a storm, some say the melting after Monday's storm is too much. Some say they're even thinking of moving.

News 12 Staff

Feb 3, 2021, 3:17 AM

Updated 1,269 days ago

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Homeowners on the South Shore didn't just have snow to worry about Tuesday -- flooding, corrosion and even rats are on a long list of problems that came with the storm.
While the people who live in a Lindenhurst neighborhood south of Montauk Highway are no strangers to street flooding after a storm, some say the melting after Monday's storm is too much. Some say they're even thinking of moving.
"You've got to park your car up here, put chest-high waiters on and then walk all the way down the street," says one neighbor.
"Our taxes are up to $14,000, it's ridiculous and nothing's being done," says John Wharry.
Many in the area say they raised their houses and drive vehicles tall enough to navigate the water that they know will be in the streets after a storm.
The ice, the water and the snow that rises up after these storms and comes into these people's neighborhoods is not the only issue. They say the fact that it is also saltwater means it's corroding their vehicles.
If that wasn't enough -- some say they have a rat problem too.
"The first rat was a big one, with a big tail, and then the second rat, he got in(my dog's) mouth, he grabbed him and I was like, get away, away - the rat was wobbling around," says Wharry.
While the frustrations are too much for some, others say this is the price they pay for living on the water.
Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer released a statement on the flooding, saying, "Town crews are aware of the flooding issues in our low-lying areas and are doing all they can to address them while also working to make all town roads passable. Flooding caused by the severity of the storm was compounded by the large accumulation of snow and ice that blocked storm drains, as well as last night's high tide. We ask residents in these areas to continue to have patience as we expect water to recede as the night goes on." 


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