Millions secured for long-delayed Mamaroneck flood mitigation project

A long-awaited flood mitigation project has been revived in Mamaroneck, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer announced Wednesday. 

After years of false starts and frustrating delays, the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake River Flood Risk Management Project has received full funding from the federal government, according to Schumer's office.

About $88 million will pay for the final design and construction of the project in a village that has suffered from frequent and worsening flooding in recent years. 

Funding for the project was yanked under former President Donald Trump, but got renewed attention last September following the destruction caused by Hurricane Ida and with President Joe Biden now in office. 

“I visited Mamaroneck the day after Hurricane Ida, another deadly storm in a pattern of far too many that devastated the community, and promised I would not stop fighting until Mamaroneck received the funding it desperately needed to protect its community," Schumer said. 

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Originally, the federal government was expected to pay for only about 65% of the project — roughly $50 million — with the state, Westchester County and Village of Mamaroneck picking up the other 35% to ensure the project moves ahead. 

The 100% federal funding is part of the Disaster Supplemental Appropriations Bill.

The project would widen and deepen river channels and construct retaining walls and diversion culverts. It would also focus on structure elevation and other infrastructure needs.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer, in a statement, called the $88 million an "unbelievable amount" that would save lives and property. He credited Schumer, as well as U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman for putting a “spotlight on a problem the people of Mamaroneck have had to endure for far too long.”

Flooding issues in the village have been ongoing for decades with the Washingtonville section hit hardest. 

A 2007 Nor'easter storm led to record levels of flooding, causing more than $50 million in damages and affecting more than 50% of structures in the most affected area, according to Schumer's office. That's when the project was first discussed. 

Hurricane Ida, which hit Westchester in September, left local businesses and houses ruined with mountains of destroyed items and furniture placed on the streets following the storm. Five deaths were reported in the county, though none within Mamaroneck.

In a joint letter to the Army Corps pushing for the project, Schumer, Gillibrand and Bowman wrote the village reported Hurricane Ida caused $18 million in damages and more than $75 million in residential and commercial damage. 

They wrote there were more than 150 water rescues, 535 flooded homes, 310 abandoned vehicles and 1,000 people displaced.

Village Mayor Thomas Murphy told The Journal News Mamaroneck is still recovering from Ida almost five months later.

"This is the beginning of providing relief and hope to our long plagued residents," Murphy said in a statement. 

David Propper covers Westchester County. Reach him at dpropper@lohud.com and follow him on Twitter: dg_props. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.