Hi  John,

Monday's rainstorm exposed so many vulnerabilities for our community. On days like yesterday, where unpredictable weather events can last several hours — my first thoughts are with the residents of Senate District 34. Coastal & inland residents alike face severe flooding & water damage. 

With each summer storm, our neighbors brace for the high cost of destruction from severe weather events. 

Our infrastructure is not prepared for the climate crisis.

Many residents across the district reached out to share images and updates of the impact yesterday's storm had on the community, like this clip sent to me from a resident in Pelham:

When residents tell me "the streets turn to rivers," — this is what they mean.

Across our District, from Soundview to New Rochelle, flooding continues to be a problem.

As the federal government allocates dollars for watershed mitigation systems in neighboring municipalities, much of southern Westchester and the Bronx continues to wait for action from State and Federal representatives to address this growing issue. 

Many areas and homes, which never flooded before, are taking on water during unrelenting storms. Worse, many evacuation routes in District, along with the Hutchinson River Parkway and Shore Road, are also prone to regular flooding. 

As I connect with neighbors across the Bronx and Westchester, this is one issue we are affected by unanimously. Yesterday's downpour flooded subway stations, closed down roads, and In Morris Park, an enormous sinkhole swallowed up an entire van, leaving many without water:

We've learned from hurricanes Ida and Sandy that our infrastructure can't handle the influx of heavy storm rains. The solution is clear; we need to make rapid investments in hard and soft infrastructure to meet the needs of our communities. 

I have spoken to residents who have lost multiple vehicles to flooding this year. Homeowners have spent exorbitant costs to pump and repair their basements due to flooding — in other regions, people have drowned from this.

Across the Sound Shore - flood insurance is rising in cost. Many families cannot afford to fight the effects of our climate catastrophe and incur high charges from predatory insurers or forgo coverage altogether. Rising sea levels also threaten the thousands of neighbors living along our coastline.

If you experienced flooding or damage, here are links to resources from New York City and New York State:

The fact of the matter is simple — Our leaders are unprepared for the climate crisis. In New York State, we have gone three years without a single piece of legislation to implement the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). 

We must recognize the urgency of the climate crisis and address flooding and other environmental issues with immediate action. I know this is important to you,  John, which is why I have a roadmap as to how we can address these problems.

I'm the only candidate running with a plan to address the climate crisis head-on! Here are my top priorities:

In almost every aspect, extreme weather this summer has appeared to fulfill the dire predictions of scientists who for years have warned that humanity was quickly on track to runaway climate change. 

Historic heat waves, wildfires, floods, and drought spanning vast regions of the globe have prompted the President of the United States to consider declaring a climate emergency. I urge him to do this and show bold leadership for everyone on this planet.

Our climate crisis is a public health crisis. Unless we recognize that and treat this with the utmost gravity, we will fail our people and planet. 

I'm committed to ensuring the Bronx, Westchester, and all New Yorkers live in a State that prioritizes climate action, listens to science, and recognizes that we must act with urgency to deliver for our communities and our future. 

In Solidarity,

Christian Amato
Democrat for New York State Senate · District 34