Community Corner

Woodbridge Family Finally Moves Back Home After Irene

Leslie Marti and her family recently moved back into their Heidelberg Avenue home.

Leslie Marti, her husband and two sons, have lived in a hotel and small apartment since Hurricane Irene made their home unlivable in 2011, but on June 8 the family was able to move back into their Heidelberg Avenue home.

Just weeks before Sandy hit, the Marti’s were supposed to move back into their home since work was complete, but then things went sour when Sandy put them right back where they started with Irene. 

"We are slowly but surely trying to get some of the things we lost since we didn't have any content coverage in our flood insurance," Marti expressed.

Marti is an outspoken member of the Woodbridge Flood Zone group and an employee of the township. She has attended council meetings to show officials of her struggle and long journey to get back into her dream home where she hoped to raise her grandchildren, she said.

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At a meeting in May, Marti echoed how strongly she hoped she would never have to leave Woodbridge.

However, now Marti says she has applied for Blue Acres and is hoping for a buyout. Many other residents in the area are also hoping for buyouts

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"Moving forward we are enjoying our home one day at a time," she said. "But stress out every time it rains and continue to pray that Woodbridge gets the buyouts soon so we can start living peacefully someplace else."

However, if they did move it would still be in Woodbridge, her motto all along has been, "Woodbridge Strong."

In the meantime, Marti and her family are enjoying a renovated home, with enough space for them all.

Marti was recently featured on News 12 NJ in segment titled “A Long Journey,” which it certainly has been for the family.


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