Sandy flood damage News

Connecticut’s Interest in Berms, Dunes Grows After Sandy

Devastating flooding from Superstorm Sandy has sparked growing interest in building berms and sand dunes for protection along the Connecticut coast, a swath of land with some of the nation’s priciest real estate where officials say obstacles include concerns about …

N.J. Gov. Christie Signs Order to Quicken Dune Construction at Beaches

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed an executive order to speed the construction of sand dunes to protect its coast from storms over the objections of beachfront homeowners worried about losing their ocean views. The order, which took effect Wednesday, …

Flooded N.J. Homeowners in Limbo Awaiting Buyout Offers

An appraiser sent by the state recently assessed the value of Bob and Pat Smith’s house, nearly a year after floodwaters from Superstorm Sandy reached midway up the living room walls. Like the 75 other homeowners living near the South …

New Jersey Flood Victims Face Difficult Buyout Decision

Bob and Pat Smith have seen many floods in their 47 years on Water Street, but none as severe as in Superstorm Sandy. Last year’s storm waters rose halfway up their front door and left a debris field of mud …

New Jersey Court Rules Against Homeowners in Dune Dispute

A New Jersey town can present evidence of the benefits of building dunes as storm barriers when homeowners with beachfront properties seek compensation for losing their ocean views, the state’s highest court ruled. The Borough of Harvey Cedars on Long …

New Jersey Moves Ahead With Buyouts in Flood-Prone Areas

State officials in New Jersey are moving forward with plans to buy flood-prone properties in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. Officials met with 129 Sayreville home and property owners who are approved for buyouts. Environmental Protection Department spokesman Larry Ragonese …

NYC Council Airs Proposals to Handle Storms Better

After months of mulling the city’s response to Superstorm Sandy, lawmakers proposed Wednesday to require backup generators for traffic lights, a system to track everyone in shelters for people with medical problems and other changes in emergency response. The New …

Christie Unveils Buyout Offer to New Jersey Flood Victims

Some 350 homeowners in the central New Jersey towns of Sayreville and South River whose properties have flooded repeatedly will be eligible to sell their homes in the first phase of a new federally funded buyback program, New Jersey Gov. …

New Jersey Official: State to Buy Flood-Prone Homes in ’13

New Jersey officials plan to unveil a plan in the next two to three weeks for buying out roughly 1,000 flood-prone homes from owners who want to sell them, a state Department of Environmental Protection spokesman said Tuesday. Since Superstorm …

Connecticut Shoreline Avoids Zoning Changes After Storms

After hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed by storms raking Connecticut’s shoreline, a state task force recommended that local zoning codes be changed to reflect rising sea level and new flood elevations. But changing zoning laws that might lead …