To Raise or Raze: Hiawatha Residents Face Tough Decisions

Tempers flared and tears were shed at a special meeting held Monday night at the for homeowners affected by Hurricane Irene's floods.

The gathering was planned to provide information to residents in danger of losing their homes because of the August storm, but there likely were many more questions raised than minds reassured.

Nearly 200 people from flood-ravaged lower Lake Hiawatha were at the meeting to hear from federal, state and local leaders about progams to assist them during the rebuilding process. The meeting followed the receipt of letters by about 85 Hiawatha-area families saying their homes suffered so much damage from Irene, they must be elevated or demolished.

According to federal regulations, homes that suffer damage equalling more than 50 percent of their assessed fair market value are too dangerous for habitation.

Of the 85 homes, 68 remain on the raise or raze list so far. The others won appeals from the township to keep their houses intact. The situation remains tenuous for the 68, who under a 1986 township ordinance, have the option of raising the home's foundation up to or beyond the 100-year flood elevation (and building a new dwelling from scratch or lifting the old one up to be placed atop the new foundation) or, if FEMA and the township agree, selling the property to the local government, which will have to use the land for open space. 

Raising their hands at the behest of officials, about half of those at the meeting indicated that they intend to sell their damaged homes to the township and start over.

Many homeowners have begun spending money on repairs already, and the letters—received about two months after Hurricane Irene—forced them to stop rebuilding and contemplate money wasted.

Others have yet to receive any funding from their insurance companies and/or the Federal Emergency Management Agency that will allow them to begin any repairs or rebuilding.

Resident after resident shared their realities with those assembled, talking of having to shoulder a mortgage for a home deemed structually unsafe by the government while also having to bear storage costs, rent for temporary shelter and additional expenses.

Some spoke of having to live in their cars for days and weeks on end. Others talked of doing repairs and living practically hand to mouth only to find out later that all the work may be for naught. And many expressed outrage over the possibility that work on rehabilitating their houses could take six months or more.

“I’ve been out of my house for months,” Harold Marchell said to the officials, adding that he has yet to see a dime from FEMA or his insurance company. “I just want to go home, please.”

Town Attorney John Inglesino told the homeowners that they can apply to FEMA for $30,000 grants to help cover expenses to raise building foundations. He also announced that homeowners denied construction permits for repairs finally could begin rebuilding—officials conferred and made that decision on the spot.

However, the news failed to calm the crowd.

FEMA representative Richard Einhorn stated that the process of elevating foundations could cause irreparable damage to their homes, causing more fear and anger among the residents, as did his statement that those taking part in the FEMA flood insurance program could lose their coverage—and perhaps their mortgages—if they opt not to elevate their foundations.

The government dollars eventually going to buy-out flood-stricken homeowners would be covered by both the federal and local or regional governments. The feds would pay for up to 75 percent of the value of bought-back homes. The remainder often is covered by municipalities, but may paid for with Morris County open space funds.

Residents were able to take their individual questions to Einhorn, Inglesino, Mayor James Barberio and Township Engineer Justin Lizza. 

National Flood Insurance Program general adjuster Tony D'Angelo said he would speak with affected homeowners about their concerns on a case-by-case basis beginning Tuesday morning.