Water seeping into Karen Hanson and Clay Winters’ home in Shelton early Monday soaked their hardwood floors, kitchen cabinets and living room furniture.
It would have been their basement or garage, had a long-anticipated federal check arrived in time.
Hanson and Winters are waiting to receive a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant that would help pay to raise their home above the floodplain — making their first floor a basement or garage instead of their main living space.
The couple started the process about two years ago with six other families in The Maples, a small dead-end community on Indian Well Road.
They’ve been approved for some $90,000, Winters said, but are still waiting to actually get the money.
It’s not clear what the hold-up is, Winters said. He joked it’s probably just a signature needed somewhere.
Click the box to see flooding photos from The Maples. Article continues after the photo gallery.
But while they wait for the money, Hanson and Winters risk more property damage to their one-bedroom cottage, located near the end of the dead-end street, across the street from the river.
“We took this house and made it as water proof as we can,” Winters said. “Now it’s time for the federal government to come through.”
A spokesperson for Congressman Jim Himes was researching questions about the FEMA grant Monday evening. Himes released a general statement on the flooding Monday:
“The dangerous conditions, lost productivity, and property damage we’re experiencing as a result of today’s flooding all illustrate the desperate need for investment in water management infrastructure here in Southwest Connecticut” Himes said in the statement. “I look forward to working with local, state, and national officials to continue our efforts to improve flood management in our region.”
Monday, the Housatonic River’s overflowing banks reminded Hanson and Winter just how important the grant to raise their home will be.
By 11 a.m. Monday, every room in the house had taken in water.
In some areas, where the floor is higher, the water was only a couple inches deep. In rooms like the kitchen, which is a step lower than the rest of the house, the water was at least a foot deep.
Outside water flowed just inches below the kitchen window sill.
In Hanson’s bedroom, an antique dresser passed down for generations in her family was propped up on blocks to prevent damage. Other furniture — which Hanson described as “throw-away furniture” sat in pools of water.
“It’s not as bad as I expected,” Hanson said, noting that her clothes in the closet were untouched, and only a couple pairs of shoes on the ground appeared to be ruined.
Hanson and Winters planned to spend the night in a hotel.
They’ll file another insurance claim — their fourth in eight years — once the water subsides.
The Neighborhood
The Maples is a community of about 45 homes. Residents described it as a close-knit community where families know each other and enjoy the river together in the summer months.
In the early spring, when flooding is common, they also help each other prepare and react to the added water.
The mood in the neighborhood Monday morning was resigned acceptance.
“It’s life on the river,” Winters said with a shrug, as he walked to his home on railroad tracks on higher ground.
Residents of the Maples have become used to the water. It comes every couple of years — although Monday’s floods were the worst anyone could recall.
Several homeowners — including Mike Kosko — have already raised their homes above the floodplain on their own.
Kosko said his living spaces were untouched by the water — although two cars still sat in the garage, which was partially under water.
Kosko’s father, also Mike Kosko, grew up on the street.
“This is the worst,” the elder Kosko said. “It came up real fast this time.”
