Village Looks To Rebuild Marina After Sandy

Two weeks after Hurricane Sandy swept over the area, tossing at least three boats from the water at the Westhampton Beach destroying walkways, bulkheads and flooding the main building, the village has begun the arduous task of assessing the damage and creating a remediation plan.

Related: Photos: Westhampton Beach Village Marina Flooded

According to Rebecca Molinaro, Westhampton Beach village clerk, Hurricane Sandy caused approximately $150,000 worth of damage at the marina, which is a popular summer docking spot, located just off Main Street on Library Avenue Ext.

Superstorm Sandy, she said, wreaked havoc on the marina's bulkheads, main building, electrical units and walkways. The gazebo, however, sustained little damage.

This week, the village began talks with FEMA regarding repairs and Molinaro said she expects that the village will be reimbursed 75 percent of the costs of the overhaul from FEMA and another 15 percent from New York State Emergency Management Services.

The village has also submitted for supplemental funds, which would provide for 90 percent reimbursement from FEMA. That request, Molinar said is pending.

Also pending is a request to FEMA to have the marina rebuild classified as a “Hazard Mitigation Project," which would allow for additional repairs that would further shore up the marina.

"It would make it stronger so as to minimize or eliminate any future damage from similar weather events," said Molinaro.

The village, said Molinaro, will make every effort to ensure that the marina will be repaired and ready for the spring.

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