By Matthew Monks
Jeff Simmons, spokesman for the city comptroller's office, expects claims to reach several millions of dollars by the May 17 deadline.”We're up above $1 million worth of claims from only a fraction of those affected,” Simmons said. The city Department of Environmental Protection is still investigating what caused the rupture to a 20-inch pipe at Ditmars Boulevard and 71st Street, flooding several blocks with a million gallons of water that filled basements, destroyed cars and temporarily displaced a dozen families. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city was responsible and would cover the damages. Individual claims filed as of last week ranged from $4,000 to $500,000. “We lost everything due to the flood. We lost the whole basement, the whole garage – personal things. I had a full apartment in my basement. Everything is gone,” said Connie Syrigos, of 49-12 Ditmars Blvd., who filed $500,000 in property and emotional damages. “It was the most unreal thing I ever saw in my life. I called it a mini-tsunami.”The comptrollers' office said it would cover no more than $250,000. “Of course, I'm not going to get that ($500,000). I'm lucky if I get $10,000,” Syrigos said. “This is what the attorney advised me to do … I'm going with a large number, a high number, so I can get whatever I can get.” City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) had concerns about her reasoning. “A claim is not an adversarial proceeding,” Vallone said. “Lawyers are too used to lawsuits in which you put down a number that is much bigger than you expect to receive.” State Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) sponsored a bill making $50,000 available to homeowners should their damages not fully be covered by the city. The bill has passed the state Senate and Assembly and was sent for approval last week to Gov. George Pataki, who has 10 days to respond. Reach reporter Matthew Monks by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
