Southeast Queens Emergency Town Hall Feedback Survey & Press Release

January 11, 2023

Senator James Sanders Jr. hosted an Emergency Town Hall Meeting on January 5, 2023 at Goldie Maple Academy in Arverne to address the devastating damage caused by Winter Storm Elliott.

"Southeast Queens is the Lower 9th Ward of New York City (reference to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans)," Senator Sanders said. "If it was a little bit colder in New York City during Winter Storm Elliott, Southeast Queens would have been another Buffalo disaster--where dozens of people died in blizzard conditions. What are the City's emergency and evacuation plans for Southeast Queens? Like my neighbors, I want to know. We need to have one, otherwise we will become another Buffalo."

During the meeting, Senator Sanders addressed what actions are being taken to aid in recovery in Southeast Queens. He was joined by federal, state, and city agencies, as well as various elected officials, to provide an assessment of the flooding and other damage.

The Town Hall was co-hosted by U.S. Representative Gregory W. Meeks, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, Assembly Member Khaleel M. Anderson, NYC Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, and NYC Council Member Joann Ariola. Numerous community organizations also co-sponsored the event.

The following government agencies participated: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Federal Emergency Management Agency; NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services; NYS Department of Environmental Conservation; NYC Office of Emergency Management; NYC Department of Transportation, NYC Department of Sanitation; NYC Department of Environmental Protection; NYC Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery Services; PSEG Long Island; and National Grid.

If you attended the meeting, we would like to hear from you and get your feedback on what was discussed and what you would like us to address moving foward (your answers will be anonymous). Please take our online survey at the link below.
https://forms.gle/g2niB1h9Ub2wwkRGA

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