Feds Set Aside $3.7M To Buyout 26 Wayne Homes In Flood Zones

WAYNE, NJ – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is allocating $3.7 million to acquire and demolish 26 flood-prone homes in Wayne that were damaged during a March 2018 snowstorm, according to officials.

The money is the latest round of funding earmarked to conduct buyouts of homes in Wayne’s flood zone. Earlier this year, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker announced $13 million in federal funding to acquire 48 homes.

"Unfortunately, too many New Jersey communities are vulnerable to repeated flooding and we must focus on protecting these communities from the devastation of heavy rainfall and extreme weather," Booker said. "This federal investment is critical to addressing the dangers of flood hazards and Wayne will be better prepared because of it."

"As more severe storms hit our region, we must take proactive steps to ensure our communities and infrastructure are stronger and better prepared for when the next disaster strikes," Menendez said. "Voluntary buyouts is just one part of a broad mitigation strategy that saves lives, protects homes and safeguards entire communities in New Jersey."

Local, state and federal officials say they have been looking to find ways to help alleviate flooding issues in Passaic, Essex and Morris counties. The 935-square-mile Passaic River basin has experienced regular floods in the past 50 years, with the worst coming in 1984 and in 2011 with Tropical Storm Irene.

Earlier this year, Sen. Menendez introduced the National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization and Reform (NFIP Re) Act of 2019, which tackles systemic problems with flood insurance, puts it back on solid fiscal ground, and reframes the nation’s entire disaster paradigm to one that focuses more on prevention and mitigation to spare the high cost of rebuilding after flood disasters.