He went to a Home Depot to buy a sump pump to try to stem the tide of wastewater, which had reached the fourth step of his basement stairs.

Some residents were frustrated with the city’s response.

“When something of this magnitude happens, I would be surprised if there isn’t a way to communicate to the neighborhood what they should do, what steps they should take,” said Howard Hollins, 41, who works in construction and has lived in the neighborhood his whole life. “It just took too long, not just to mobilize but to have a presence.”

A community meeting with officials from the city’s emergency management agencies and the Red Cross was held on Sunday afternoon. The Red Cross met with more than 80 residents on Saturday and provided meals and access to a shelter. Cleanup kits will be available after the sewage has receded, according to the Red Cross.

Residents were urged to ventilate their homes — a difficult task during Sunday’s rain and sleet storm. Some said they were afraid to seek shelter elsewhere because of the possibility of looting.

Mayor Bill de Blasio wrote on Twitter Saturday night that city water crews were making repairs to the sewer main and were bringing in more pumping equipment to help with the cleanup.