St. Albans & South Jamaica Flood Exposure · NYC DEP Separate Storm Sewer Area
St. Albans & South Jamaica, Queens - MS4 Area
Properties here drain through separate storm sewers: rain runs in its own pipes straight to Bergen Basin, apart from the sewage. When a storm drops rain faster than the catch basins can take it in, the water collects on streets and low lots instead. Here’s what that looks like for St. Albans & South Jamaica, Queens specifically.
41,298 properties in St. Albans & South Jamaica, Queens drain through separate storm sewers to Bergen Basin, which opens onto Jamaica Bay. Flood Form rates 44% of them Moderate or High for stormwater, 43% for sewer backup, and 28% for groundwater. None rate that high for coastal flooding. 88% of lots have yard area that legally qualifies for on-site infiltration. The ground slopes gently down toward the south, from about 69 ft to 19 ft, so runoff from higher blocks drains toward lower ones. The median building dates to 1930. 11% of parcels sit over a historic stream or pond. Their runoff reaches the water through 4 NYC DEP storm sewer outfalls. NYC DEP lists floatables, pathogens, and nitrogen as pollutants of concern in these waters under its MS4 stormwater permit.
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Flood exposure in St. Albans & South Jamaica (Bergen Basin)
The share of properties Flood Form rates Moderate or High for each type of flooding, on the same Minimal to High scale as an individual report.
44%
Stormwater exposure: Moderate or High
43%
Sewer Backup exposure: Moderate or High
28%
Groundwater exposure: Moderate or High
0%
Coastal exposure: Moderate or High
What sets St. Albans & South Jamaica (Bergen Basin) apart
The three figures on which this area differs most from the rest of NYC’s separate storm sewer areas.
43%
Properties with Moderate or High sewer backup exposure
The highest of NYC's separate storm sewer areas. Sewer backups are on record or likely for more lots here.
41,298
Properties draining to this water
The largest of NYC's separate storm sewer areas. Runoff from a large area reaches this one water.
1930
Median year built
Older than 95% of NYC's separate storm sewer areas. Buildings of this age tend to have aging drains and sewer connections.
Stats computed from Flood Form’s NYC parcel data as of October 28, 2026
Where St. Albans & South Jamaica’s storm sewers drain
The waters NYC DEP maps this area’s storm sewer outfalls to, by number of properties.
41,184
Bergen Basin
114
Baisley Pond
Common solutions for St. Albans & South Jamaica properties
The measures that most often suit conditions here. An individual Flood Form picks the exact set for one lot. See all flood prevention solutions.
Downspout Diversion
Redirect roof downspouts away from the sewer system toward permeable yard areas, planters, or a rain barrel.
Complexity: Low · 1–4 weeks
Modular Drywell System
An NDS Flo-Well modular drywell system lets water soak into the ground on-site.
Complexity: Moderate · 1–3 weeks
Rain Garden
A shallow planted depression that collects runoff from roofs and paved areas and lets it soak into the ground over a day or two.
Complexity: Low · 1–3 weeks
Area Drain
A yard area drain — a surface inlet at the lowest point in the yard — provides a direct outlet for stormwater that pools on the site.
Complexity: Low · 1–4 weeks
Backflow Preventer + Gate Valve
A backflow preventer on the building sewer lets wastewater flow out to the street but closes automatically when the municipal sewer surcharges, preventing sewage from backing up into the basement.
Complexity: Moderate · 2–6 weeks
Sewer Line Video Inspection
A licensed plumber runs a camera through the building sewer from a cleanout to the street connection, recording the condition of the pipe.
Complexity: Low · 1–2 weeks
Which of these fit your lot?
Your Flood Form rates your property’s exposure and recommends the measures suited to it.
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Questions about flooding in St. Albans & South Jamaica (Bergen Basin)
What does it mean that St. Albans & South Jamaica has separate storm sewers?
This part of St. Albans & South Jamaica, Queens is served by a separate storm sewer system, which NYC DEP calls an MS4. Catch basins and roof drains carry rain in their own pipes straight to Bergen Basin, which opens onto Jamaica Bay, while wastewater flows in another pipe to a treatment plant. Because rain doesn't share a pipe with sewage here, a storm is less likely to push sewage back into basements than in combined-sewer neighborhoods, though a blocked or undersized house sewer line can still back up. Flooding here mostly comes from runoff the storm drains can't take in fast enough, and from groundwater and tides.
How exposed to flooding is St. Albans & South Jamaica (Bergen Basin)?
The most widespread exposure in St. Albans & South Jamaica is stormwater: Flood Form rates 44% of properties Moderate or High for it. The share is 43% for sewer backup and 28% for groundwater. These figures describe the whole area, and exposure varies lot by lot within it.
Can properties in St. Albans & South Jamaica (Bergen Basin) manage stormwater on site?
88% of lots in St. Albans & South Jamaica have yard area that legally qualifies for on-site infiltration, such as a drywell or rain garden. A lot without that room can still hold runoff with a detention tank or a blue roof.
Why does runoff from St. Albans & South Jamaica matter for Bergen Basin?
Storm sewers here discharge runoff without treatment, so what washes off streets, roofs and yards ends up in Bergen Basin. NYC DEP lists floatables, pathogens, and nitrogen as pollutants of concern in these waters under its MS4 stormwater permit. Holding roof runoff on site with a rain garden, drywell, or detention tank cuts flooding on the property and what reaches the water.
How do I check one property in St. Albans & South Jamaica (Bergen Basin)?
Enter the address on this page to get its free Flood Form. The report rates that property for stormwater, sewer backup, groundwater, and coastal flooding, and recommends measures suited to the lot.
Nearby separate storm sewer areas
- Hook Creek & Head of BayRosedale & Springfield Gardens8,449 properties · 39% with Moderate or High stormwater exposure
- Shellbank & Hawtree BasinsHoward Beach5,067 properties · 52% with Moderate or High stormwater exposure
- Little Neck BayBayside & Little Neck6,801 properties · 24% with Moderate or High stormwater exposure
- Flushing Bay & CreekCollege Point & Flushing1,104 properties · 32% with Moderate or High stormwater exposure
- Fresh Creek & Hendrix CreekEast Canarsie & Starrett City5,116 properties · 48% with Moderate or High stormwater exposure
- East River & Long Island SoundWhitestone & College Point4,510 properties · 25% with Moderate or High stormwater exposure