$1.6 billion in claims for floods

The floods that turned neighborhood blocks in Queens into oceans last summer may cost the city millions to fix, even before one dollar is spent on sewer work.

Borough residents have so far filed $1.6 billion in claims against the city for damages caused by flooding on July 17, according to the city controller's office.

2007 floods spur $1.6 billion in claims from Queens residents

On Aug. 9, Mayor Bloomberg acknowledged that spending several billion dollars was necessary "if we ever want to make sure that our sewers can handle it," he said.

But aside from assembling a multiagency task force, no steps have been taken.