Baldwin Street residents offered unique solution to flooding issues

While solutions to the flooding problem in Bridgeville Borough are still being devised, one option for some residents has been put on the table: Get out.

Borough Council authorized an application to participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Program. The application is for residents of Baldwin Street.

If approved, residential property-owners on Baldwin Street can sell their home. FEMA will pay 80 percent of the cost and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency will pick up the remaining 20 percent.

The sale price will be determined by an appraisal. If the home has already been damaged by flooding, the property owner need not worry.

“The house is appraised at pre-disaster values,” Borough Manager Lori Collins said.

If the homeowner disagrees with the appraisal, they may back out and reimburse the borough for the cost of the appraisal.

About 40 homeowners on Baldwin Street received a survey about the program. Collins said 10 of those are now in the application process. The appraisal process is the next step.

Collins said the program has the potential to be a money-saver for the federal government.

“A lot of them have flood insurance through FEMA. And FEMA would rather pay for the property (than pay for a claim),” Collins said.

If a property owner has received a claim from FEMA for past flooding, and has not used the funds, that amount will be deducted from the appraised value.

Deadline for the grant is May 24. Collins said beyond that, the timeline is undetermined.

After the homes are demolished, the borough is required to maintain and use the land for green space. Collins said they can request to use the space for other purposes. One other use mentioned was parking.

Borough council approved the resolution unanimously.