Raising A Home, And A Homeowner's Spirits, In Remsenburg

Every time a hurricane blew into town, the lower level of James Fogarty’s house would flood and his family would be forced to evacuate. “One time we ended up at the BOCES school, the other time we ended up at the high school,” he said.

He and his wife had moved into the Remsenburg home in 1984 and raised their family there. “I love living in Southampton,” said the U.S. Army veteran. But with each big storm and subsequent evacuation, there was dread. “I didn’t want to come home and wonder, ‘Oh gee, is my house still going to be there?’”

Superstorm Sandy, which devastated parts of Long Island and the tri-state area in 2012, was the last straw. Mr. Fogarty learned about and applied for financial assistance from the New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program, which helps rebuild and revitalize communities severely damaged by these storms. Although his house was not damaged, he needed to get it raised.

According to Barbara Brancaccio, a spokeswoman for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Storm Recovery Office, which oversees New York Rising, Congress approved a $60 billion grant to be used for victims of Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in affected states. New York State received $4.4 billion, which was, in part, used to create New York Rising, whose services eventually expanded to include home elevation. “There were people who were in a flood zone who did not have the damage, and so we extended it to them,” said Ms. Brancaccio. “It’s not required, but recommended.”

Mr. Fogarty was awarded a $68,500 grant for home repair, elevation, mitigation, which relates to nondescript storm-related consequences, and reimbursement—he paid initial out-of-pocket costs but will receive the balance once the project is complete. “Fifty percent of the total award is paid to the homeowner” up front, Ms. Brancaccio explained. The remaining 50 percent is paid at the end, after the project is complete and the home is inspected.

Mr. Fogarty selected his construction team, including the general contractor and engineer. “Our program emphasizes that the homeowner has control over the repair of their homes and chooses who they want to work with,” said Ms. Brancaccio.

Engineer Andrew Braum has been handling the required paperwork for New York Rising and making sure Mr. Fogarty’s project remains in full compliance with the program’s guidelines, regarding finances and scope of work. This includes measuring out elevation.

“An algorithm is used to determine what the program-allowed elevation height is,” said Mr. Braum. New York Rising guidelines dictate that homes can be raised only 2 feet above the base flood elevation, unless local codes require more. “Any homeowner that wishes to go higher will pay out of pocket for the additional footage, but [he or she] cannot go higher than what local building code permits.”

Ultimately, Mr. Fogarty’s foundation was raised almost 40 inches, which did not exceed the guidelines. The project is expected to be completed in the next few months. At first skeptical about the government-run program and whether it would be successful, Mr. Fogarty has been pleasantly surprised, with nothing but praise for those who have helped him along the way.

“The outcome will be a home that my kids can live in or visit with their families and be safe,” he said cheerfully.