In September 2021, the remnants of Hurricane Ida reached New York City, bringing record levels of rain and leaving a trail of destruction. Thirteen people died due to flooding, many of whom were in illegally converted basement apartments. In New York City, there are roughly 30,000 such apartments, although the exact number is unknown. Despite the danger caused by more frequent and heavier rainfall, illegally converted basement apartments represent one of the few affordable options for low-income New Yorkers, many of them migrants.
