Queens, New York – Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) hosted a press conference with a broad coalition of local elected officials, environmental advocates, and community leaders to call for stronger flood mitigation tools and infrastructure investments to protect New Yorkers from the growing impacts of climate change.

As the sponsor of the Rain Ready NY Act (A7467), Rozic is championing legislation that would empower local water and sewer agencies across New York State to manage stormwater, prevent flooding, and invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, such as drainage system upgrades.

Flooding has long threatened neighborhoods across Queens – particularly in Flushing, Jamaica, and Fresh Meadows – where heavy rainfall routinely overwhelms aging sewer systems, creating hazardous conditions and costly damage for residents. The devastation of Hurricane Ida in 2021, followed by repeated flash floods in 2023, further exposed the vulnerabilities of these communities and the urgent need for long-term solutions.

A recent Regional Plan Association report warns that without urgent investment in resilient infrastructure, New York City and surrounding regions could lose up to 82,000 homes to flooding by 2040, with 1.6 million residents living in areas at risk.

“Flooding has become a persistent crisis that threatens homes, disrupts communities, and endangers lives. As climate change accelerates, we must act now to provide water and sewer authorities with the tools they need to build resilient, future-proof infrastructure. The Rain Ready Act offers a pragmatic solution, and I am proud to stand alongside my colleagues in government, environmental advocates, and community leaders in advocating for the investments our state urgently needs,” said Assemblymember Nily Rozic.

““We all know the devastating impact that extreme weather has had on our city in recent years, and nowhere is that felt more acutely than in communities like the ones I represent,” said Councilmember Sandra Ung. “Assemblywoman Rozic’s bill is about giving local water and sewer agencies the tools and flexibility they need to meet this moment, whether that means upgrading drainage systems, building green infrastructure, or taking other proactive steps.

Climate change is not a distant threat, it’s here, and it’s hitting working-class neighborhoods like Flushing and Fresh Meadows the hardest. I want to thank Assemblywoman Rozic for championing this legislation. It is a smart, practical step that will make a real difference in people’s lives.”

“As Chair of the Committee on Environmental Protection, Resiliency, and Waterfronts, I know firsthand how urgently we need to address the growing threat of flooding in New York City and across the State,” said Council Member James F. Gennaro. “Assembly Member Rozic’s Rain Ready NY Act is a crucial bill that would give local water and sewer agencies the authority and tools they need to invest in smarter, climate-resilient infrastructure. It aligns with the goals of my recently passed legislation, Intro 1150, also known as Stormwater 2.0, which mandates a comprehensive citywide stormwater management plan and creates a public dashboard to improve transparency and preparedness. Together, these initiatives offer a commonsense, forward-thinking approach to protecting our communities, our homes, and our environment. I’m proud to stand with Assembly Member Rozic and my colleagues to push for these much-needed initiatives.”

State Senator John Liu, co-sponsor of the companion Senate bill, S4071, stated, “In the 21^st century, in the greatest city in the world, no one should have to live in fear of the rain. Unfortunately, that’s the daily reality of homeowners and business owners here in northeast Queens and in communities throughout the State of New York who experience flooding every time there’s inclement weather. While the Trump White House continues to strip critical FEMA funding for flood mitigation projects in Queens, we are pushing for responsible legislation that would protect homes, businesses and lives from the growing dangers of extreme weather.”

“Combating flooding has been a key priority of mine, especially since Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc on our borough,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens). “I thank Assemblywoman Rozic for her efforts in this fight, and underscoring the importance of addressing the problem. The threat of future floods in our neighborhoods will only continue to grow and we need to act to prevent more lives from being lost.”

“Climate emergencies are getting worse by the day, with storms and rainfall reaching unprecedented levels that the city’s infrastructure was not built to handle,” said Rohit T. Aggarwala, NYC Chief Climate Officer and Commissioner of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. “The Rain Ready NY Act will reinforce the role of DEP and similar water utility operators throughout the State in managing the critical threat that stormwater presents. We’re grateful to Assembly Member Rozic for her support and dedication to protecting communities from the effects of climate change.”

“With time running out in the legislative session, we’re calling on the Assembly to pass Rain Ready NY and deliver a win for clean water and flood-resilient communities,” said Jeremy Cherson, Associate Director of Government Affairs at Riverkeeper. “Unmitigated stormwater is a growing threat that floods homes, damages infrastructure, and pollutes waterways like the Hudson River and Flushing Bay. Rain Ready NY offers a smart, proactive approach to protect New Yorkers and our environment. We’re grateful to Assemblymember Rozic for championing this legislation and urge her colleagues to cosponsor and vote yes before session ends.”

“When heavy rainfall inundates our communities, it isn’t just destroying property and threatening lives. It is also carrying oil, plastics, and other trash and pollutants into our waterways, including Long Island Sound. Stormwater is also overwhelming sewer systems and leading to billions of gallons of un/partially treated sewage flowing into New York City waters each year. The Rain Ready New York Act will empower water authorities to manage the destructive impacts of stormwater on water quality by incentivizing local communities to implement green infrastructure and nature-based solutions,” said David Ansel, Vice President, Center for Water Protection at Save the Sound.

“The Nature Conservancy thanks Assemblymember Rozic for introducing legislation to improve stormwater management in New York State. Across the state, rainfall is increasing, putting further pressure on outdated water and wastewater systems. If enacted, this legislation would enable sewer authorities to better protect people, wildlife, and infrastructure from the damaging effects of excess stormwater. We urge the State Legislature to pass the legislation to improve quality of life and community safety throughout New York, said Tami Lin-Moges, Director, Cities Program in New York, The Nature Conservancy.

“The SWIM (Stormwater Infrastructure Matters) Coalition fully supports the passage of Rain Ready NY (S4071/A7467), identifying stormwater as a pollutant, recognizing the need for investment in stormwater management and climate change resilience, and emphasizing the use of green infrastructure as well as gray. It is particularly important that water and sewer authorities have sufficient resources as severe rain events are expected to increase and the future of federal assistance is uncertain,” said Michelle Luebke, Program Manager, SWIM Coalition.

“Every single community and county in New York has experienced a flood disaster declaration in the last decade. Assemblywoman Rozic is carrying one of the state's most important climate bills – the Rain Ready NY Act – which would support local water authorities to build more climate resilient infrastructure. This bill offers the tools for communities from New York City to Buffalo to be safe from more frequent and intense floods. Waterfront Alliance applauds Assemblywoman Rozic's leadership and vision toward a rain-ready New York,” said Tyler Taba, Director of Resilience, Waterfront Alliance.

“Empowering water utilities across the state to manage stormwater by clarifying their jurisdictional authority is very important in the face of changing climate and more frequent extreme rain events. If this bill passes, New York City will be able to implement stormwater management projects to not only improve water quality but also make our neighborhoods more resilient,” said Shino Tanikawa, Executive Director, NYC Soil & Water Conservation District.

The Rain Ready NY Act, which has already passed the Senate and is currently under review by the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions, is essential for providing localities with the resources needed to address environmental challenges head-on.

Assemblywoman Rozic’s bill will empower communities to address flooding, invest in resilient infrastructure, and protect New Yorkers from the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather and climate change.