Queens swaps concrete for a new flood-fighting solution

QUEENS (WABC) -- City officials have unveiled a new flood mitigation initiative in Queens, converting concrete medians in flood-prone neighborhoods into green spaces designed to absorb stormwater and reduce street flooding. The project is transforming medians in Whitestone, Forest Hills and Queens Village into landscaped areas planted with grass and wildflowers. Officials said the new spaces are expected to capture roughly 5 million gallons of floodwater annually.