Dunmore flood victims still asking for help

Aug. 09--DUNMORE -- Joe Demartini doesn't know where to turn for help after flash flooding heavily damaged the foundations of his home and garage during a thunderstorm on July 25.

Mr. Demartini, who lives on a fixed income and takes care of a wife who suffers from lung disease, was one of about 70 people who attended Dunmore Borough Council's meeting Monday seeking guidance and hoping to learn about recovery efforts.

"The funny thing is we're in a no-flood zone, so you can't get flood insurance," the 68-year-old disabled veteran told council. "What are we left with? ... What am I supposed to do, walk away from my home? Where do I go?"

Dunmore, Scranton's Green Ridge section and parts of the North Pocono area were the hardest-hit regions in Lackawanna County during flash flooding that hit Lackawanna County late last month when some officials estimated their municipalities got soaked with 2 to 3 inches of rain in less than an hour. Some of the same areas endured more flooding last week.

Borough resident Tom Drewes told council that at one point, water was waist high in the street in the Monroe Avenue area and 7 feet deep in his neighbor's basement.

Pat Shultz, who lives on Sherwood Avenue, lost everything in her basement but was luckier than her neighbor.

"I lost things that belonged to my son who is 31 years old, things that you can never replace," she told council. "My neighbor Kim lost her water heater. She lost her furnace. She lost her son's bedroom and the entire contents of her basement."

State Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, didn't have any easy answers for flood victims.

The lawmaker told borough residents the threshold to unlock state and federal disaster aid is $25 million in damage and cleanup costs not covered by insurance. He advised residents and officials to start adding up bills and estimates, then report them.

It is possible some limited aid could still be available if the data convinces the governor to declare an emergency, Mr. Blake said, but damage at private homes may not be covered regardless.

"Most of the support that could be provided, however, is really -- I just need to be very candid with you about it -- is support for the public damages that were inflicted," the state senator said. "That means roads and sidewalks and other things that are publicly owned and managed and not protected by insurance. ... There's usually some support for small businesses that might be affected. Unfortunately, at least insofar as I understand it now, there is not a lot of support for private owners who don't have flood insurance."

Many residents also told borough council they believe shortcomings in the stormwater system led to some of the most severe flooding in Dunmore. They described drains that were overwhelmed, blocked or otherwise inadequate for the task.

Councilman Timothy Burke said the borough could easily spend all of its expected $24 million share of the proceeds from the expected sale of the Scranton Sewer Authority to Pennsylvania American Water Co. on stormwater upgrades.

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What's next

Dunmore residents should contact the borough at 570-343-7611 to report flood damage estimates as officials compile damage data in an effort to qualify for disaster funding. Borough officials plan to post more information online at dunmorepa.gov.

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