Woodbridge Flood Zone Survivors Remind Community That Their Struggle Continues

Woodbridge flood zone survivors passionately told their tales of life after Irene and Sandy at Tuesday evening’s council meeting in hopes of reminding the community that Woodbridge residents are still struggling and suffering. 

Leslie Marti an employee for the Township and resident of Heidelberg Avenue gave an update of her situation to the council and public and echoed how strongly she hoped she would never have to leave Woodbridge.

Marti said that the family should hopefully be back in their home by the end of the month or early June, but they were in the same situation once before.

After Irene destroyed the Marti’s home they were about 80 percent complete with their final inspection when Sandy struck and collapsed the foundation of the home. She pleaded with the council on Tuesday to push for these victims in the Flood Zone because they need help.

“We do depend on you, you are what I need to help us [her family] live,” she said.

Another flood zone survivor Mike Coyne gave a heartfelt speech about his situation to the council. Coyne told the council that this is not what he worked so hard for his whole life; it was not his idea of the American dream.

Coyne said he has been working 100 hour work weeks and missing precious time with his family because he received basically nothing from FEMA.

“We need help and pressure before it is too late,” he said. He asked the council for help because they know of different avenues and easier ways to work with the government than he has the time to spend searching for.

Council President Charles Kenny explained that the Township is exploring all options to help assist the flood victims, but it is a lot of waiting on the powers higher up.

Mayor John E. McCormac held a similar stance, he stated that the township is working on many different things to help those in the flood zone, but a lot of it is waiting on the Federal Government, which is impossible to put a time frame on.

One of the resolutions passed during the meeting was the hiring of The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, an organization that will do all the legwork and enter the field to help assist with the Township’s flood mitigation and open space programs.

Kenny stated that this program will have everything in order in case the money becomes available for buyouts or for plans to improve the infrastructure of the homes to be better suited incase another storm hits.

Pamela Antab wanted the community to understand that some residents, including her, have not been able to get back into their homes at all.

Antab explained that she was not trying to complain, but has been having a difficult time knowing what her next step should be. If buyouts are on the table, she might wait on putting the money back into her home.

“Buyouts are not something I ever thought of, but now I need it,” she said.

Antab added that if she was able to get any money at all from a buyout she would just use it towards getting into an apartment, because as of now she is not sure what to do with her insurance company if leaving is an option.

“I don’t want to make money,” she explained. “I just want a place to live.”

A resident of South Robert Street in Sewaren just wanted it to be known that Sandy didn’t leave for them. He explained that people of Woodbridge who did not suffer from Sandy do not realize that members of their own community are in these situations.

Another South Robert Street resident said, “It’s a shame really, pay attention to what is going in your community.”

Township Administrator Robert Landolfi said that the agreement with The Land Conservancy of New Jersey would help the township with the potential acquisitions of properties within the flood zone areas.

“It will be a real hands on approach,” he added.

For more stories on the Woodbridge Flood Zone, including Mike Coyne’s passionate tale mentioned briefly above visit their site atwoodbridgefloodzone.com.

The Woodbridge Flood Zone meets on Monday evenings at the First Presbyterian Church in Woodbridge.