P.S. In a lot of stories a taut quote from Schumer accompanies the text. Connection?
This appears to be the original leaked story:
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/433227p-364959c.html
Schumer was not mentioned. The other stories' writers probably called him for a comment after the Daily News story broke.
The Daily News story is interesting. By my reading, it is clear that the leaker told the reporters about the "flooding" of the financial district, it was not speculation by the reporters. Reason? Because in the same article it is evident the reporters questioned the flooding claim and checked with experts about what the leaker told them. They fact checked a leaker! Doing their job.