American Red Cross spent almost two weeks on Webster Avenue, serving over 4,000 meals to Bronxites after massive flood

Responders from the American Red Cross stepped in and served over 4,000 meals to Bronx residents on Webster Avenue after a massive water main break completely flooded the streets last month, destroying homes, cars and businesses, according to the organization.

A total of 74 responders served the Bedford Park neighborhood for nearly two weeks, providing food, water and blankets while the city coordinated a multi-agency response to restore power, gas and water.

At the peak of the flooding on Monday, Dec. 16 the water reached waist height. Basement and ground floor apartments were submerged and residents had to be evacuated, sacrificing their homes and belongings to the floodwaters. One woman was outside when her apartment started filling with water and was unable to reach her children inside the home. Luckily a neighbor was able to help the kids escape and reunite with their mother.

A busted water main flooded Webster Avenue near Mosholu Parkway in Bedford Park Monday night. — Webster Avenue from Mosholu Parkway to Bedford Park Boulevard became a swimming pool on Dec. 16, 2024 when a busted water main sent water rushing into the low laying area. Courtesy of FDNY

In the days following, NYC Department of Sanitation, Department of Emergency Management, FDNY and Department of Environmental Protection pumped water from buildings, shoveled mud out of the street and cleared debris from the roadways.

Residents started taking inventory of their losses and tried to salvage all they could. With no elevator service, people with mobility challenges who couldn’t take the stairs were trapped inside their apartments.

The aftermath of a wrecked apartment at 2985 Webster Avenue once floodwaters receded following a burst water main. — The aftermath of a wrecked apartment at 2985 Webster Ave. once floodwaters receded following a burst water main. Credit: Sadie Brown

But Red Cross volunteers were flexible and climbed the stairs to make food deliveries to those who couldn’t come down to street level to pick up meals. The American Red Cross also temporarily housed those residents who were displaced by the water as well as some families with young children and residents with medical needs. A spokesperson for the organization said that 47 households were temporarily relocated after the flood.

The city restored power to the area on Dec. 19, but the NYC Office of Emergency Management has not yet commented on a cause for the water main break. Some residents in basement units still have not been able to return to their apartments, according to HPD data.

Impacted residents should file a claim with the NYC Comptroller’s office for property loss.