For Some in Mamaroneck, Hurricane Never Left
While Hurricane Irene was a soaking inconvenience for many, and a messy, often expensive clean up for even more, the lives of many of the neediest members of the community are just starting to return to normal.
25 families were displaced in Mamaroneck by the storm, many of them “the poorest of the poor” living in basements that were completely flooded, according to Jeremy Ingpen of the Washingtonville Housing Alliance.
The majority of those homes were on Howard, Lester and Maple Avenues in an area known as the Flats. (see map below)
Ingpen says of the 25 displaced families, 10 are staying at a homeless shelter in Greenburgh and the other 15 are with friends and relatives.
Habitat for Humanity‘s Jim Killoran says that free sheet rocking and insulation is still available to needy families, “no questions asked.” 21 homes have been restored by his efforts, nine pumped out and furniture has been donated by HfH to two families.
A multi-agency meeting held earlier this month created a temporary alliance called the Mamaroneck Flood Relief Coalition.
Agencies offering assistance locally include the CAP Center, the Furniture Sharehouse and HfH. The Red Cross ran a shelter at Mamaroneck High School during the worst days of the flooding in August and continues to help those affected.
Another local agency to whom victims of disasters turn is the Hispanic Resource Center, which has been forced to temporarily relocate its staff after its headquarters on Mamaroneck Ave. was damaged by flood waters. HRC Chairman John Gitlitz says it has been operating out of the Washingtonville Housing Alliance.
photos of Mamaroneck Village, August 2011, submitted by Loop readers
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Category: Mamaroneck, News
