The Hole Queens

In the 1960s, efforts were made to mitigate flooding in The Hole by raising the level of certain streets and paving them, allowing for easier passage between South Conduit Avenue and Linden Boulevard. This involved homes adjacent to the raised streets building retaining walls, resulting in their first levels being below grade. In 2004, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) proposed connecting the neighborhood to the city’s sewer system as a solution to the flooding issue by raising the land.

As of 2023, plans to elevate the streets and integrate the neighborhood into the surrounding sewer system were included in the city’s capital budget but had not been put into action. Other proposals have been suggested, such as buying out residents and restoring the area as a natural floodplain. Additionally, the city is exploring more cost-effective options like plant-based drainage infrastructure.

While awaiting city solutions, residents have taken measures to address flooding, such as connecting to public utilities to power outdoor sump pumps for water removal. Although some drainage improvements were made in 2023, they did not fully prevent flooding, as evidenced during events like Tropical Storm Ophelia, though they did improve water drainage compared to past incidents like Hurricane Ida in 2021.