Thunderstorms left parts of the Gowanus section of Brooklyn underwater on Wednesday morning as recent rains overwhelmed the drainage systems lining 4th Avenue, causing the street to turn into a mini river.
This isn't the first time the flooding has happened, according to a manager at the Root Hill Café. Two years ago a similar flood occurred and the city took measures to fix the drains --- but to no avail, said the manager who asked to remain anonymous.
The flooding occured because to the catch basins, which collect rain water, were full of garbage, said a city Department of Environmental Protection spokeswoman. The DEP had dispatched crews earlier that morning, but the rain had already begun. The flooding was not connected with the Gowanus Canal, the DEP spokeswoman said .
"When we have a period of dry weather, the garbage collects and the large amount of water made it a messy situation," said the DEP spokeswoman.
Kevin Hogan was in the Root Hill Café when the flooding began.
“At first it wasn't much to be concerned about," Hogan told NBC New York. "But after a few minutes we noticed it might reach the electricals.”
Hogan said the water was flowing down hill and collecting at this intersection. The excess of water caused the drains to overflow. The water level rose steadily knocking over garbage cans and eventually threatening local businesses.
As the water level grew, Hogan took out his iPhone and began to snap photos and video.
Hogan noted the water was, “Knee deep, and I am 6-feet tall.”
Hogan said he stated that he overheard a pair of construction workers, unrelated to the flood, saying the water came gushing out of the manhole. Hogan told NBCNewYork that city workers began opening manholes in order to relieve the flooding.
You can see Hogan’s video of the event below:
