Politics & Government

Town Acquires First Severely Damaged Irene Home

Paid for via federal and county flood mitigation programs, the Lake Hiawatha home will be razed and turned into open space for perpetuity.

The first flood-damaged Parsippany home slated for acquisition is now the property of the township.

Mayor James Barberio presided over the Feb. 13 closing of a River Drive home. 

There is more to come, he said, noting that closings for the remaining 17 severely damaged homes should take place soon.

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These residences, rendered uninhabitable during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, qualified for a voluntary FEMA grant enabling the municipality to purchase their homes for future demolition and eventual reversion to open space for perpetuity. Monies came from matching grants via the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and the Morris County Flood Mitigation Program.

Lake Hiawatha resident Rebecca Erb is the first homeowner to relinquish her home as part of this effort.


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