South Jersey Homeowners Provide Update After Evacuating In April Due To Erosion
By Todd Quinones
FLORENCE Twp., N.J., (CBS) – It was a devastating landslide that forced people out of their homes in Florence Township, Burlington County.
"It gives you a real sense of the change of seasons," said Chris O'Dell.
But for Chris and Lynne O'Dell their million dollar view turned into a nightmare in late April.
That's when much of their backyard simply disappeared, dropping some 70 feet into the Delaware River. And they were told by authorities they needed to get out.
"Probably 75 percent of the house packed up in the first week or so, you know expecting all of these things were going to happen at a very quick pace and then things kind of slowed down," said Chris O'Dell.
Every night for the past seven weeks or so, the O'Dells been staying with friends, family and even in hotels. That is beginning to wear thin. Right now their lives, like their home, are very much on the edge of a cliff and they have no idea what the future holds.
The couple did receive some good news though. Lawyers working for Burlington County sent them a letter indicating the county was going to acquire their property and their next door neighbor's house too.
They say appraisers have been out to inspect the property, but so far no settlement offer has come in.
"They tell you to have plan B. We have A through Z because it could happen at any given moment at any given time," said Lynne O'Dell.
The O'Dells say workers have sealed off the leaky storm water drainage pipe owned by the county which they believe caused the erosion.
"Wheels of government I guess just don't move at the speed that you'd like to sometimes," said Chris O'Dell.
So for the time being they spend as much of their time as possible soaking up this view during the day as they wait and wait some more.
"It never leaves your mind."