Politics & Government

Homes Targeted For FEMA Funding Chosen Based On Proximity To Rahway River

Approximately 18 homes in Cranford were selected to be part of a federal grant program due to their proximity to the river and prior flood damage.

It's been almost six months since Hurricane Irene tore through Cranford, leaving behind a path of destruction that still has many residents struggling to rebuild their flood-damaged homes. But there is some relief on the way for a few of them.

Approximately 18 homeowners will get a financial boost from the federal government in order to elevate their properties and prevent future flood damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has agreed to provide $3.1 million to Cranford to help elevate flood-prone homes that were damaged during Hurricane Irene.

According to Mayor David Robinson, the criteria used to determine which homes would be elevated was based on factors such as proximity to the Rahway River, the amount of damage sustained and the history of damage of the home.The mayor said that another factor involved trying to make sure that all of the selected homes were in the same general area.

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Officials said the federal funding will be forwarded to the state first. From there, the money will be distributed to the township. The FEMA grant will cover up to 75 percent of the cost involved in elevating the homes above the flood plain. The remainder of the cost will be the responsibility of the homeowners. Some residents will be able to use money acquired through insurance claims.

Robinson said the township is hoping that the work to elevate the homes will begin as soon as possible.

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"We're still new to this process," Robinson said, adding that the township still needs to acquire bids from contractors for the work that will need to be done.

The homeowners selected for the program have been notified and it will be up to them to decide whether or not to undergo renovations to raise their houses and prevent future flood damage. Officials said there is a possibility that if qualifying residents fail to take advantage of the program, they may risk losing the opportunity to obtain financial assistance through FEMA for similar efforts in the future.

The township will also be working to obtain additional funds in the future to raise some of the other homes in Cranford that are in flood prone areas.

"The goal remains to fight for additional funds," Robinson said, adding that the town will submit another request for FEMA funding. "The goal is to get all of the homes that qualify elevated."

Right now, there are a total of 51 homes in the township that qualify for funding to be elevated above the flood plain. However, as additional data from Hurricane Irene is collected, Robinson said there may be more homes in the township that also qualify for the funding.

The FEMA grant for Cranford is part of an overall program that will benefit homes throughout the state that are in flood-prone areas. On Feb. 28, U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg, D-NJ and Robert Menendez, D-NJ announced that FEMA will provide more than $21 million through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for flood mitigation projects throughout New Jersey.

This federal funding will be supported by a $7 million match from state and local governments, bringing a total of more than $28 million to directly assist New Jersey families in the state’s hardest hit communities.


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