SIDNEY, N.Y. -- More than 130 flood homes in Sidney could be facing reconstruction or even demolition as part of a recent buyback program. This comes after the village secured a state flood reconstruction project with FEMA.
In 2006 and 2011, the Southern Tier was hit with some of the worst flooding in its history. Four years later, villages like Sidney are still feeling the effects.
"We had to redo all of the floors, all of the walls, the bathrooms, the plumbing and heating, everything," said Kyle Deshaw, Sidney resident.
Years later, with help from the state and FEMA, the village was able to take action. More than 130 flood prone houses in Sidney have been submitted for demolition as part of a full buyback program. While many have opposed selling their homes, Mayor Andy Matviak says relocating to safer areas in the village may be the best option.
"I understand that it's been a very long process for them but we're trying to do what's best for our residents and what's best for the village as a whole," said Matviak.
Phase one of the project is underway. In one location, vacant land is all that remains at the former home of a longtime Sidney resident. Many residents said while they are sad to leave the area, another flood is just too much to handle.
"I think after we've had the two floods, the quality of the neighborhood has in fact deteriorated. People have a lot of deferred maintenance on their homes because they don't know what's going to happen. I wonder to what extent some of these homes are actually salvageable at this point," said Robert Compton, Sidney resident.
The second option in the program involves elevating homes in the flood zone. This will cost an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 according to residents, which they say is nearly half the value of many houses.
"What's really the payoff of that? If you do a cost benefit analysis, I don't think that it's particularly beneficial for the federal government to flip 100 percent of the bill," said Compton.
While the village is encouraging homeowners to go through with the program, under law, no one will be forced to leave their homes. Other improvements will include green spaces around the town that will absorb water from the river and prevent it from reaching housing.