Long Island Family Blames Town After Backyard Collapse During Storms

Backyard Collapse Leaves Long Island Family Homeless

A Long Island family is facing a devastating situation after their backyard collapsed during a recent storm. Steven Abrams, a resident of Port Jefferson Station, says the entire collapse could have been prevented if the town had addressed a broken pipe that was eroding his property since July.

The Abrams family reported the problem to the town of Brookhaven in July, and engineers inspected the site. However, despite the visible erosion, they were assured their property was safe.

Unfortunately, with each subsequent rainfall, the erosion worsened. Now, the family's home is deemed unsafe, with a crack in the basement foundation and unstable decks and pools.

"Everything I worked for is gone. And this is where we stand," Abrams said, expressing his frustration and fear for his family's future.

The town of Brookhaven is now working to stabilize the land below the Abrams' home, and a permanent repair is expected to begin soon.

While the family is filing insurance claims and seeking temporary housing assistance, they are calling out the town for their negligence and the devastating impact it has had on their lives.

Town's Response

The Brookhaven Highway Department, which oversees the broken pipe, says they cannot comment on the town's liability due to legal reasons. However, they are committed to working with the affected families.

45 homes in the county were severely damaged after this week's storms. The town is providing support and resources to these families, including temporary housing and financial aid.

This incident highlights the importance of proactive infrastructure maintenance and the devastating consequences of inaction when it comes to environmental issues.