Westchester County Hires Director of Flood Mitigation and Stability
Westchester County Hires Director of Flood Mitigation and Stability
In his new role, Dean Tarulli will help address flooding issues in Westchester, including the Rivertowns
Rivertowns — “How’s your basement?” is a common question heard after rainstorms in the Rivertowns, as many homes and businesses flood after heavy downpours. Some local residents believe climate change, combined with aging infrastructure in the region, is making flooding even more pervasive and destructive than ever before.
Many of the houses in the Rivertowns are older (in Hastings, more than 40% of houses were built in 1939 or earlier; in Dobbs Ferry, more than 30% were built in 1939 or earlier; in Ardsley, almost 14% were built in 1939 or earlier, with nearly 40% built between 1950-1959) and in Irvington, almost 30% of houses were built in 1939 or earlier). These older homes weren’t necessarily built to cope with intense downpours and flash flooding — and as many locals know all too well, shoring up basement floors and walls or installing drains and pumps can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive. Plus, there’s the psychological toll of wondering how much damage your house will sustain every time the forecast calls for heavy rain.
In 2021, Hurricane Ida caused extensive damage to many homes and businesses; Hastings’ Chemka Pool had to close for nearly two years for extensive repairs needed after damage from the storm. Several local parkways, including the Saw Mill River Parkway, routinely flood.
Now, as part of the ongoing efforts to address the increasing impact of flooding and severe weather storms on residences and businesses in Westchester, the Westchester County Department of Planning has hired a Director of Flood Mitigation and Resiliency.
Dean Tarulli, formerly of the New York State Office of Storm Recovery and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will help develop and manage flood prevention and mitigation projects. He will also look at ways to maximize state and federal funding in communities plagued with flooding issues. Tarulli’s responsibilities will also include administrating the county’s Flood Mitigation Program funded in the Capital Budget; addressing concerns from local municipalities as the county’s Floodplain Coordinator; and collaborating closely with many other county departments, including the Department of Emergency Services, Department of Environmental Facilities, and Department of Public Works and Transportation.
“I am looking forward to this exciting role and the challenges it presents. Thank you to everyone who has been working on this issue. Together, we will build upon past successes and create solutions for a more resilient Westchester,” Tarulli said.
Tarulli told the Rivertowns Current that there are now two ongoing projects in the Rivertowns where the county is involved. “These projects consist of the West Sunnyside Lane culvert replacement in Tarrytown and flood studies for Pietro Place and Virginia Avenue in Dobbs Ferry,” he said.
Tarulli suggests that homeowners interested in understanding methods of addressing flooding in their homes should read the Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your Home From Flooding, a document produced by FEMA.
“It provides an overview of six strategies for safeguarding homes from flooding, along with information on potential funding sources available for such projects in your communities,” said Tarulli.
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