FEMA to Approve $3.6M Grant for Horton Avenue Flooding Victims

The Town of Riverhead will receive a $3.6 million federal grant to purchase homes in the Horton Avenue neighborhood that were damaged in last year's serious flooding, officials announced on Friday.

The funds, courtesy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will be used for local officials to buy the flooded properties at market value, according to a statement. Thirteen residences in the below-sea-level neighborhood were affected after heavy storms dumped nine inches of rain on the area, causing serious flooding and forcing many to abandon their homes. 

"The county has worked hand in glove with Riverhead Town, Congressman Tim Bishop and FEMA officials to see that the residents of Horton Avenue receive the compassion and assistance they required to start a new beginning."  Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy said in a statement.

Once purchased, the town could demolish the residences, and the land then converted into "park land or open space," according to Town Supervisor Sean Walter.

Walter added the town has only heard confirmation of a grant to buy back damaged homes, not one that would also allow for mitigation against future floods. 

Rep. Tim Bishop, D-Southampton, said the deal was a positive step. 

"It's a great thing, and I think it's a testament to the persistence of the residents of Horton Avenue and I think it frankly shows that government can work," Bishop said in a phone interview on Friday.

Bishop said officials have been discussing the deal for the past 20 months. He could not confirm the grant would be for the $3.6 million mentioned in the county's statement. The final amount will be approved by FEMA on Monday.

"It's not a 100 percent done deal," Bishop said, but he added, "It's about as close to being a done deal as you can get."