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1. How do I know if I have a flooding problem on my street?

The incidence of flooding is very dependent on road and property elevations and weather and drainage systems. Certain locations are prone to flooding and during certain weather events, flooding will occur. Often it is a temporary situation and clears within 24 hours. The drainage systems are designed to handle a certain flow within a period of time. If conditions exceed that design capability, flooding will occur.

An area with significant flooding issues generally has standing water at the location 24 hours after a rain event. If water does not exist at the location 24 hours after a rain event, it is determined that, although flooding occurs, it is temporary and therefore within the design capability of the system.

The Town is continually updating its database of problem areas and, as recourse allow, will address these problem areas. Flooding can also occur without a rain event in times of unusually high tides.

2. How do the tides affect flooding of my street and property?

Flooding can occur without a rain event in times of unusually high tides. When the tide rises above the outfall pipes in canals and on the bayfront, it pushes water back up into the drainage system. This prevents the road drainage system from discharging water and sometimes pushes salt water back up into the system and into the streets. This is a particular problem in many shore areas with homes built in the 50’s and 60’s which are very close to the shore and at low elevations.

The National Weather Service often issues flood advisories due to high tides. For those living in low lying areas near tidal water, this type of flooding will occur.

3. How do I report flooding on my property?

Flooding issues should be reported to Citizen Services, 3-1-1 or (631) 957-7474. Once an area foreman is given the service request and a significant rain event has occurred, the area in question is surveyed and inspected.

An area with significant flooding issues generally has standing water at the location 24 hours after a rain event. If water does not exist at the location 24 hours after a rain event, the case is closed. If standing water still exists at the location, the case is reported to the Engineering Division within the Planning and Development Department to develop a solution and schedule to rectify. At this point, incident report is written and copied to the homeowner.

4. Who do I contact about my street basin backing up after a rain storm?

All storm water basins (drywell) issues should be reported to Citizen Services, 3-1-1 or (631) 957-7474. The Town will schedule an inspection of the affected area 24 hours after the next rain event.

At that time the inspection will investigate the storm drain for blockage, damage, etc. If it is determined the storm drain is blocked, a service request will be created and scheduled.

5. When and who cleans the sump in my neighborhood?

Town sumps are cleaned on a regular basis. Residents are encouraged to post a service request for those sumps that need immediate cleaning. Winter brothers, a third party contractor, has been retained to maintain the sumps surrounding area. Each sump has this contact information located on the plaque posted to the bordering fence. Winter brothers can be contacted at (516) 937-0900. 

6. Can I dump oil or chemicals down a storm drain?

No. These storm drains are either a pathway to Town of Babylon waterways or the groundwater system where we get our drinking water and do not lead to a sewage treatment plant.

The storm drains are there to solely collect storm water from the public roads and right always. 

7. Can I pump water into the street, in a storm drain or onto another property?

No, pumping water into the street, storm drain or onto another property is prohibited by Town Code. Clean water may be discharged on one’s own property.