Town Board OKs Steps for Horton Avenue Victims' Relief

The Town Board took another step towards getting whose homes were damaged in severe flooding from a 2010 nor'easter at their meeting on Tuesday.

The board unanimously approved two resolutions, one to begin appraising the pre-flood value of the damaged homes, and another to adopt a $3.5 million budget, with $2.6 million coming from a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant and $900,000 from Community Preservation Fund serial bond proceeds, to help the victims of the flood.

Twelve homes along Horton Avenue were submerged and damaged when the April 2010 storm dumped flooding rains on Riverhead over the course of a few hours. On Oct. 6, to buyback the ruined homes at fair market value from the residents, demolish the buildings, and establish open space to prevent further flooding.

Three million dollars from the deal will be used to purchase back the homes. Of that $3 million, the federal government will pay for a $2.24 million share, with Suffolk county and the town splitting the remaining costs. The additional $600,000 will be used to create the man-made wetland.

In October, Horton Avenue resident and activist for the families Linda Hobson praised officials for working to help the flood victims.

"I wouldn't wish this on anyone, but I wouldn't give back the journey," she said. "To see that government can really work was a gift. I think it shows that a community when they stick together can do really great things."