Heavy rain, flash flood warnings once again threaten livelihoods of Bushwick businesses owners
Many of the neighborhood's flooding issues stem from an aging sewer system that dates back to the early 1900s and struggles to handle the intense rainfall New York City now experiences.
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For the past 14 years, Joseph Marin has commuted from Queens to Bushwick to run Brooklyn Queens Furniture and Things. But after repeated flooding events, he says he is considering closing the business altogether.
"I'm planning to go out of business because of this problem," Marin said. "It's too much problems. Whatever kind of money I make is to fix the damages."
Many of the neighborhood's flooding issues stem from an aging sewer system that dates back to the early 1900s and struggles to handle the intense rainfall New York City now experiences.
Just days after floodwaters inundated his store during weekend storms, another round of flash flood warnings left him bracing for more damage on Tuesday.
"I'm very worried about it today," he said.
According to Marin, water entered the business despite efforts to keep it out.
"Too much water. Everything here was a mess," he said. "I put this [item here] trying to stop [the water], but it was not enough. It damaged all the furniture. I sold the furniture for half the price."
Marin says flooding impacts nearly every part of his property, from leaks in the ceiling and water in the basement to runoff overflowing from neighboring backyards.
Frustrated by what he sees as a lack of action, he says business owners have been left to deal with the consequences on their own.
"Nobody listen, nobody do nothing," Marin said. "Starting from the landlord. The city, the mayor, nobody."
As rain moved through the neighborhood, puddles quickly began forming along commercial corridors. Local business owners say each storm brings anxiety and uncertainty and they are urging city officials to take immediate steps to address the problem.
"We need to know what the city could do now, not four or five years later," Marin said.
In 2025, the Adams administration announced a $390 million investment aimed at upgrading Bushwick's sewer infrastructure and reducing chronic flooding in the area. City officials said the project is expected to take roughly a decade to complete.
Until then, Marin says the financial burden continues to fall on small business owners.
"If I figured it out, the money I lost in the floods, maybe $150,000," he said.
Residents and business owners say they hope long-term infrastructure improvements will bring relief, but for now, many remain concerned every time heavy rain is in the forecast.
