East Hampton Town to Feds: We Need Help With Winter Storm Erosion

After surveying most of the erosion in East Hampton Town caused by the post-Christmas storm, said on Wednesday night he has requested help from the Federal Emergency Management Association.

Major damage to the north and south shorelines will require significant funding, both private and public, to remedy. Houses along , and hotels, like , "took a heck of a beating," losing feet of sand, Wilkinson said. Houses on Lazy Point in Amagansett, too, suffered damaged and were further compromised by the storm.

In letters to Congressman Tim Bishop (R-Southampton) and Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-New York), Wilkinson said, "I've asked them to do everything they could do make sure there are FEMA dollars for us."

First FEMA officials will have to come for an inspection, which Wilkinson said will most likely happen on Wednesday. "They have to first brand it as a storm that would make reimbursement available," he said.

"Much has to be done in the form of cataloging the destruction with hopes of us receiving necessary FEMA funds," Wilkinson wrote. He said he sent a copy of the letter to State Assemblyman Fred W. Theile Jr. (I-Sag Harbor).

Wilkinson said the town has to do some serious thinking about the type of relief it wants. "Are we to look at bulkheads? Are we to look at something in front of the bulkheads?" Pressure on the Army Corps of Engineers to push up dredging of the harbor is always necessary, Wilkinson said.

Hotel owners, who have already put a significant amount of money into replenishing the sands in fron of their businesses, are looking to the town for answers. "All these resorts are looking for some direction from the town."

Damage to the north-side of Montauk needs immediate attention, he said. The town-parking lot next to Gosman's restaurant is compromised, captivating from underneath, he said.

"It doesn't seem anyone has paid attention tot he north-side until last year and it's coming back to haunt us a little," he added. "It's time to put our feet to the fire. We clearly have to make some important decisions."