Journal of Light Construction: Hurricane Sandy

New York Homeowners Cool to Post-Sandy Buyout Offers — Except for Staten Island

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:47:47 EST

Federal authorities have approved hundreds of millions of dollars of funding to help New York State buy out homeowners in threatened shore areas. But most storm victims would rather rebuild.

On the Wet Side of the Levee, Louisiana Homeowners Stress Over Flood Insurance

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 11:39:27 EST

Homeowners in Louisiana’s fragile delta are living outside the Federal levee system — and with FEMA policy changing, they’re worried about the future.

Crumbling Cliff Spurs Mega-Mansion Move

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 11:38:17 EST

Richard Schifter’s house-with-a-view sits on a beautiful Nantucket bluff. But the ocean isn’t bluffing — and now the cliff is crumbling under Schifter’s footings. So Schifter is hedging his investment and moving the giant house back from the edge of destruction — swimming pool and all.

Shore Protection Controversies Heat Up in NY and NJ

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 11:43:14 EST

On the New Jersey shore, well-off beachfront owners are fighting dune construction by public authorities. In New York, the situation is reversed: big-house owners are building their own dunes, over the objections of other townsfolk. The fight is less about the view than about the question: Who owns the beach?

In New York's Pricey Suburbs, A Rise In Home Elevations

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 01:24:23 EST

The New York Times takes a look at the effort by homeowners in the Hurricane Sandy impact area to elevate their houses.

Outer Banks' Access Highway: It's an Emergency

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 02:30:41 EST

Battered by hurricanes and nor’easters, N.C. 12—the Outer Banks’ fragile lifeline—is on life support.

$700 Million in Katrina Elevation Grants Unaccounted For

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 02:37:29 EST

An Inspector General report says more than half a billion dollars in Hurricane Katrina relief money may have been misspent. Most Katrina victims who were awarded $30,000 apiece to elevate their houses never documented that the work was done.

Sandy Aid Money Not Yet Flowing

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 01:51:00 EST

Congress authorized funding for Hurricane Sandy emergency relief in January. But the actual money hasn’t started flowing yet.

Watching the Money: Post-Sandy, Authorities Eye Fraud and Mismanagement

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:24:57 EST

From small-time scams to major misappropriation of relief money, government is on the lookout for crooked use of rebuilding funds.

Crews Grind Away on Sandy Underwater Debris Removal

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:45:58 EST

In the Barnegat Bay, side-scanning sonar and “picker” boats are the tools for a tedious cleanup.

A New Union? Sandy Brings Big Changes to a Beach-Cottage Community

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:45:49 EST

Some homeowners may be forced out. Others may be able to rebuild, better. But one thing’s for sure: Things are going to change in Union Beach, New Jersey.

NFIP Demands its Money Back from Flooded Staten Island Homeowner

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 03:55:56 EST

The NFIP paid a Staten Island homeowner $10,000 for flood damage to her first floor. Now they say the space was a basement — and they want their money back.

To Elevate - or What? Staten Island Homeowners Ponder their Options

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:30:27 EST

As Hurricane Katrina taught in New Orleans, the road home after a hurricane is not a simple path.

FEMA Puts One “On-Your-Lot” Trailer in New Jersey

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:47:58 EST

In a first for the New Jersey recovery effort, FEMA has provided a trailer to a New Jersey family on land they already own.

After Sandy, a Debate about Dunes in New Jersey

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 07:55:59 EST

Sand dunes saved some houses from Sandy's storm surge. But some beachfront homeowners still won't sign off on raising the dunes.

And Now, A Surge of Flood-Damaged Houses For Sale

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 08:27:11 EST

Homes flooded by Sandy are showing up in real estate listings at a steep discount — but it’s buyer beware.

Another Nor'easter Pounds the Northeast

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:16:55 EST

The latest in a series of tough winter storms brought more flooding and more destruction to New Jersey and Massachusetts shore towns.

Flood Insurance Reform Shakes Up Louisiana Market

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 08:47:48 EST

As flood insurance rates get ready to spike sharply upward, buyers and sellers are worried about the consequences.

Are Stormwater Rules Destroying Trees?

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:37:14 EST

A Maryland builder says requirements for downspout sump pits are forcing him to damage tree roots.

New York Issues Tickets to Beach Walkers, Taxes Rebuilders

Mon, 4 Mar 2013 10:23:13 EST

“I cried all the way home,” said Staten Island homeowner Emilya Malkin after encountering New York City Parks Police on the beach near her house. Malkin says police threatened her family with arrest as she strolled with her husband and children.