Those On Hudson River Waterfront Still Picking Up Pieces From Sandy
IRVINGTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - One month ago today, superstorm Sandy slammed into the Tri-State Area and for some, including those along the Hudson River, it's still a struggle to get back to normal.
WCBS 880's Paul Murnane On The Story
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28 of Bill Thompson's 62 tenants at Bridge Street Properties in Irvington were affected by Sandy's surge. He said the water was as high as the doorknobs.
"The first day, you cut out a foot. The second day, you cut out a foot and a half. Fifth day, you cut our four feet," he said.
Sheetrock and flooring went into dumpsters.
What's lacking, he says, are federal programs to help businesses quickly get back on their feet.
"If you have any net worth you're not going to qualify," he told WCBS 880 reporter Paul Murnane. "It's almost like another entitlement program. You have to be broke to get a FEMA aid."
Village Administrator Larry Schopfer says damage to the Hudson bulkhead could top $100,000.
"Very heavy timbers that hold back the park from going into the river, frankly, were lifted up, floated into the park, and have to now be reset," Schopfer said. "We hope to work closely with FEMA on that. We haven't had any discussions yet. We filed our applications. We're waiting for their phone call."
For businesses and homeowners, FEMA says most disaster assistance comes in the forms of loans.
Thompson says he's learned there's a difference between FEMA's image and reality.
