Yukon Court residents describe repeated, life‑threatening flooding; Town schedules drains by Oct. 31

Residents of Yukon Court told the Town of Babylon board on Sept. 18 that repeated flooding has left basements ruined, vehicles damaged and families fearful for their safety, and they pressed town officials for a clear timeline for repairs.

"It was life threatening," resident Hayden Quan said, describing the Aug. 18–19 event that he said required evacuation of his household; he said water rose up to the first floor, damaged basements and totaled multiple vehicles. Quan and neighbors said the drainage at the bottom of the cul‑de‑sac is insufficient and clogged by debris and sediment.

Prati Pimini, whose family lives next door, said the flooding has recurred for decades and that within a week she lost a car and then two were totaled during the recent event. Physician and neighbor Navi Pinamaneni told the board that the family had to wade through chest‑high water to evacuate a relative with congestive heart failure and called the repeated failures "nothing short of negligence" as she urged immediate, concrete action.

Vinnie Piccoli, commissioner of the Department of Public Works, said the town has begun work on the nearby Hadley Drive sump and that utilities must be "marked out" before new drainage can be installed. Piccoli estimated markouts take about 3–5 weeks and said the town had requested markouts that would allow crews to install three new drains on Yukon Court; he told the board he expects the drains to be installed by Oct. 31 and the Hadley Drive cleanup to be finished the following week.

Supervisor Schaffer and staff told residents they would provide a contact number for follow‑up and supply notice‑of‑claim forms for anyone who wishes to pursue a claim against the town for damages. Piccoli invited residents to alert his office when heavy weather is forecast so the town can dispatch crews to monitor the area.

The board did not vote on any ordinance or immediate funding at the meeting; DPW committed to the markout and installation schedule and to continuing cleanup of the Hadley Drive sump that contributes to the drainage issues.

Next steps: DPW said it would request the markouts that trigger excavation work, continue the Hadley Drive cleanup, and move forward with installing three drains on Yukon Court with installation targeted for Oct. 31. Residents were advised that notice‑of‑claim forms are available from the town attorney's office.