The mayor’s visit was too little late for some residents who are demanding answers after a blocked sewer main sent several feet of brown filth into dozens of basements for two days. The city says the cause is still unknown, but workers installed a bypass to stop the flooding in the meantime.

“Nobody still knows nothing and we are all displaced. You know this is such an inconvenience you know. We have children. We have jobs. You know some people don’t have transportation. It’s holiday time,” said one woman.

After touring one of the homes the mayor tried to reassure residents that they will get the help they need to recover.

"We are going to work with each and every homeowner. This is going to be an individual effort. Family by family, home by home to make people whole," de Blasio said.

The city is activating a emergency procurement process. People still have to file for claims with their insurance company and the comptroller's office to get funds.

There were reports that about 200 homes were affected, but the mayor says only 74 have been identified so far. He said a service center has been set up at the Courtyard Marriott on North Conduit Avenue to help homeowners navigate the process.

"There is a lot that the city will do directly but we think it’s very important for people to get whatever insurance money they can so we want to help them do that," said de Blasio.

The mayor also addressed the city’s delayed response after residents started calling 311 about the issue on Saturday.   

"A few hours went by and the response was not what it could’ve been. That’s not acceptable to me. That’s not acceptable to my colleagues and government,” de Blasio continued.

But the mayor says the cleanup begins now. The city brought in contractors to do the work Monday night and the mayor says they won’t stop until all the homes are cleaned

"Hopefully, he means what he says and he’s going to help us,'' the woman added.

The cleaning contractors still have a large job ahead of them.