There was severe flooding citywide on April 30th, with many finding their basements underwater. This came roughly a month after Assembly Members Steven Raga and Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas called for illegal basement and cellar apartments to be legalized via legislation. Although people drowned in cellar apartments during Hurricane Ida, this silly and dangerous idea won’t go away. It had been part of Governor Hochul’s budget before it was removed, and Mayor Adams has included it in his “City of Yes” agenda which is still in progress.