INFRASTRUCTURE One piece of infrastructure that is unique to Broad Channel is “the street,” an accessible elevated wooden walkway that provides access to several homes on the eastern end of the island. According to one resident the team spoke with, the community had been asking the City the strengthen this boardwalk for years to no avail. The boardwalk was structurally damaged during Hurricane Sandy and, without this path, residents who live off of “the street” can only access their homes by boat during high tide. Several residents haven’t been able to reach their homes since the storm and do not know how much damage they’ve incurred.
DEBRIS At the time of survey, wet debris was in the process of being removed from homes. Residents noted that “diesel and propane tanks were floating all over [and the] debris shot down most of the roads.” Several trees throughout the neighborhood were either removed by the storm surge or had to be cut down after the storm.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS
CHALLENGES DURING RECOVERY AGENCY SUPPORT At the time of survey, residents mainly discussed the FEMA response in the community and issues that had developed throughout the insurance claims process. The City of New York had representatives in the area, conducting a Full Service Survey with the National Guard in order to restore heat within the community. Additionally, they were able to provide shelter or a hotel room for residents whose homes were not habitable and noted that Nurse Service referrals are available for elderly residents in need at the Restoration Centers in Queens or by calling 311.
The water levels in Broad Channel rose so rapidly that people didn’t have time to save their belongings by bringing them to the second floor, if they had one. The rapid rise of water meant that residents couldn’t relocate their belongings to higher floors if they were available. One resident lost about $50,000 worth of antiques because his house flooded.
When discussing FEMA’s response in the community, residents citing varying degrees of assistance. One resident noted that FEMA had been a help and was providing financial assistance in amounts varying from $3,000 to $30,000, depending on damage. Another resident noted that FEMA and the Federal Flood Insurance Program had helped the community by handing out $300 cards for food and supplies.
In addition to the belongings in their homes, residents in Broad Channel noted that their boats, dockside storage containers, and fuel tanks were displaced and/or damaged during the storm surge. Flooding also damaged the vehicles that remained in the street. During the time of survey, volunteers noted that “dead vehicles” lined Cross Bay Boulevard, waiting to be towed away.
Despite this support, many in the community did not respond positively to FEMA’s presence in the neighborhood. One person the field team interviewed noted that funding was only available for the homeowners in the neighborhood, not for commercial properties. In October, 2013, several residents had placed signs saying “Stop FEMA now” in their windows facing the street.
SAFETY
DECISION TO STAY OR RELOCATE
Despite a curfew being put in place for the first two weeks, several residents were concerned with looting and other acts of crime taking place.
Broad Channel is a tightly knit community largely composed of blue collar civil servants; fire fighters, police, sanitation, and EMT employees. Residents feel a strong sense of connection to
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ARCHITECTURE FOR HUMANITY NEW YORK