A Long Island community plagued by frequent low-flying jets from JFK Airport has initiated a lawsuit to seek relief amid rising noise complaints.

The town of Hempstead, along with three residents, filed legal action last week aiming to compel the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to update noise impact maps. This update represents a crucial step in addressing the overwhelming sound levels residents endure.

Since 2022, when air traffic to JFK surged, residents and local businesses have experienced daily noise and vibrations, intensifying the distress, especially during night hours. Current Noise Exposure Maps (NEMs) do not accurately reflect this escalation, lawyers argue.

From April 2024 to April 2025, more than 372,000 noise complaints were lodged regarding JFK, a significant jump from the approximately 142,000 complaints recorded between December 2017 and December 2018, the lawsuit states.

The existing PA maps only cover a small number of homes in Valley Stream and rely on modeling scenarios that do not fully capture current realities.

Town officials emphasize their commitment to battling the excessive flyovers that impact residents’ health and quality of life, promising to explore all legal avenues.

Hempstead and neighboring North Hempstead previously filed a lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration over similar concerns, though that case was dismissed.

The town specifically points to Runway 22L as a major source of noise issues. Despite claims that increased usage is temporary, data suggests otherwise, the lawsuit indicates.

The lawsuit highlights that Noise Exposure Maps are vital for establishing noise contours around airports, which can lead to mitigation strategies such as property modifications and flight path adjustments for affected residents.

A spokesperson for the Port Authority declined to comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings.