Monday, January 2, 2012

A Resident’s Commentary

Our region suffered severely at the end of August 2011 with Tropical Storms Irene and then Ann. For the amount of devastation and destruction experienced, we were relieved to see so many survive and forge ahead. Almost as soon as the storm hit our region, the emergency calls began to pour in. Volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue personnel all stood by in their respective headquarters at “the ready” to respond to those in need, giving of their time and leaving leaving their families to cope with the weather without them. The water proved to be the larger issue for many, while trees, limbs, wires and debris littered the area, making travel, power and “normal life” virtually impossible.

Here’s a neighbor’s recount of what happened and what is still happening to her and her family some five months later:

“Our home was flooding as were ordered out during the early morning arrival of Irene. Our basement was filling quickly, not allowing us to grab more than a change of clothing, our wallets and keys. My neighbor came by to see that we were okay and turned off the power and gas to our home as we exited. Driving during the heavily flooded roadways was extremely risky and outright dangerous. But that didn’t seem to deter the SUV owners in their luxo-boats, as they came barreling through our flooded roads. Some met with debris, forcing them to slow down a bit. But, you know the type. They think they can go through any adverse conditions because they have 4-wheel drive. I learned with my husband’s Jeep Patriot 4x4 that four wheel traction allows you to go almost anywhere with relative ease. I learned quickly that stopping was more difficult.

The police department evacuated our area. The fire department came, blocking the road with their fire truck and then left. Just before we left our home, we looked into our basement (a full 8ft tall) and saw it was filling quickly, about halfway up, with our possessions floating. We left in tears. Our quick departure took us to a neighbor’s house slightly elevated to us, enough to be dry. We then made arrangements and got a hotel room for us.

All of our important papers, computer equipment (in a home office), tools, books, music and videos, washer/dryer and such were stored in the basement. We could have salvaged most of it had it only been the flood water seeping in through every porous crevice in the basement. Even with two sump pumps, they were overwhelmed once the water forced open the basement windows and poured in through them. We lost everything that was in the basement. Yes, we have flood insurance, underwritten by FEMA, and to this day are still awaiting payment for damages! While flood insurance is underwritten by FEMA, you must purchase it through a “regular” insurance company. Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover anything flood related. Flood insurance comes in two flavors: structure and/or contents. We had structure insurance because of the $5k deductible and the fact that we never had more than a couple of inches of water during our worst rainfall or spring thaws.

Immediately after the storm, we called the insurance company to get our claim initiated. Everybody was pretty understanding and said my case would be assigned to an adjuster. The adjuster would be in contact with me within three days to set up an inspection appointment. The insurance carrier I had been assigned to purchase the flood insurance from was Selective Insurance. After not hearing back from anybody after more than three days, my husband called them. They gave us the name of the adjuster assigned to our case and that she would contact us within three days. From then on, every three days we received a call from Selective that an adjuster would be contacting me within three days. They said they were busy with the amount of claims they had to process. This went on for over a month!

We went to the County Center FEMA help center and complained to anybody that would listen and finally connected with a FEMA representative who suggested we file a complaint against the insurance company. We did. Each time either of us dealt with a FEMA representative, the following day guaranteed a follow-up customer service survey, asking if the FEMA employee we had worked with was courteous, and answered all our questions. At no point did they ask if the FEMA representative solved our problem, offered a solution to the problem or actually helped us! FEMA does nothing but refer you to other agencies, paid and volunteer. For instance, they said we should apply for a low interest loan from the Small Business Administration for repairs. They also said we should apply to the Red Cross for clothing replacement for any clothing we lost in the flooding. This was not new clothing but used clothing they’ve collected. Fortunately, we had clothes and didn’t need this, allowing their efforts to help those who truly needed clothing. We’re just glad we didn’t need a Katrina-style trailer. Who knows how long that might have taken? And the Town probably has an ordinance against it and a fee charging you for using an emergency trailer on your own property.

We finally got a visit from an adjuster in October, here from Mobile, Alabama. We showed him new cracks in our foundation that a structural engineer later looked at and told me were not threatening. Since they are there, and not threatening, no action will be provided under my structural insurance provided by FEMA. We’ll just have to live with more points of entry for water into my basement during the next storm. Thanks for nothing! The adjuster for the flood insurance requested a list of lost or damaged items, with costs associated for them. We conservatively estimated over $42k worth of loss. He did his inspection and said since this was all contents, we wouldn’t get reimbursed for it. His estimate for the furnace, hot water heater and a/c condenser, flooring, insulation and cleanup costs were $19k. Of that, there is a $5k deductible which is the lowest deductible they offer. In effect, FEMA is saying don’t bother us each time it rains and you get some water. Then there’s a $4k depreciation amount that contradicts the replacement value clause in the insurance policy. In the end, they say we will receive a check for $10.4k. We’re still waiting – five months later.

To add insult to injury, our Town Supervisor visited the neighborhood while we were cleaning up. Talk about rubbing salt into an open wound. We all just wanted him to leave. He began telling everyone that he would ask FEMA to buy us out of our homes and turn our neighborhood into a park. Interestingly, he could have made a small park nearby but chose instead to allow an oversized building be put on a strip of land that would require non-adherance to our building and zoning codes. This isn’t a flooding solution. No, it’s a way out of a bad situation he’s been ignoring and helped create. Buyouts are not the answer for the homeowners who would not only receive below market value for their homes, but then need a place to live and still have a mortgage to pay off. Honesty in Greenburgh politics appears to be a thing of the past.

Our neighborhood believes, and I agree, that his endorsement and encouragement of over-developing the area without regard to water runoff is the leading cause of our flooding problems! It’s the same on the other side of Town by Elmsford and Ardsley. In fact, both entire unincorporated corridors have flooding problems because of over-development and infrastructure abandonment in the unincorporated Town! We also found out that for FEMA to purchase homes in a flood area, the TOWN must do an assessment of the properties before any flooding or claims, enact laws, have state and federal buy-in, etc. In effect, the Supervisors sound bite was nothing more than a ploy to get publicity for himself. What happened to GREENburgh? It’s been sold to the developers.

We’re a few of the “lucky” ones. My husband and I, both downsized, are working and have some income. I feel for the seniors on a fixed income, or the single parents with little or no extra who have lost much or everything to Irene. And how about the people who don’t have flood insurance and will get nothing, compared to our pittance – if and when it ever arrives? Before you permit any more building in the Town, fix the infrastructure - but build it for twenty or thirty years from now. We need relief, not sound bites!

Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to write on your blog. ”
– Rose H.

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