As New Orleans residents prepare for a multi-day flood event, officials urge people to clear their catch basins.

The city officially launched its “Adopt-A-Catch Basin” pilot program in Greenpoint on Tuesday, hoping to deputize locals as volunteer storm drain supervisors. Greenpointers who sign up for the program ...

When they’re clear, the basins are a critical part of preventing flooding. But the street-level drains are often blocked by dead leaves and other debris, meaning water can’t drain through and ...