During a rainstorm in 2019, Peter Maher’s granddaughter discovered something he’d battle for the next two years — a sinkhole in his backyard.

“I can’t even have my grandkids over to play in the backyard. I can’t even have people over. I’m afraid the rest of the yard is gonna cave in on me,” said Maher. “My granddaughter looked out the window and said, ‘Grandma, when did you get an in-ground pool?’ My whole backyard was full of water.  Two, three days later I'm mowing the lawn and my foot falls in the hole, but the hole wasn’t that big. It started about 13 inches and the more it rained the more it deteriorated.”

Maher has been living in Castleton Corners for 21 years. He says the hole is just the beginning of his problems.

What You Need To Know

  • Peter Maher had a sinkhole in his backyard for two years

  • DEP filled the hole with rocks while we visited his home as a temporary fix

  • Flooding remains an issue for the neighborhood

A creek that runs throughout the neighborhood has been causing recurring flooding for many people who live here. The creek runs on private property, but residents say the city needs to step in. Maher and others say they’ve been calling 311 and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), begging for someone to step in.

Last month, we visited the home of Biana Beller. The creek runs right behind her backyard and floods her basement anytime there’s heavy rain. After we contacted DEP for the story, Maher says the agency began showing up in the neighborhood.

“Within the last two weeks we’ve been playing phone tag, we’ve been having people coming down, but no one seems to be on the same page,” said Maher.

While we were at his house, the DEP filled the hole in his backyard with rocks and then left. A spokesperson for the DEP said, “Filling the hole with rocks is a temporary measure to make the area safe until a full investigation can be completed.”

“It’s frustrating. The city moves at its own speed and unfortunately it’s not warp speed,” said Maher.

Maher says the last he heard from the city was that the flooding was caused by a sewer line issue. A private contractor would need to bid on the project, which could take months. But with changing weather, Maher says the city needs to act quickly.

“The last rainstorm, the hurricane, whatever, we had almost four to five inches of rain in my basement,” said Maher.

We also reached out to DEP about the sewer line. It says an investigation is ongoing.