(NECN: Eileen Curran, Scituate, MA) - There's
always concern in Scituate, MA whenever a major storm is approaching, but
there's more concern now over Hurricane Irene because of a huge breach in the
sea wall from a storm in December. A temporary patch is all that stands
between the homes and the ocean.
Painters work on the final part of the renovations project at the home of Sal Privitera.
"Everything
is new; new walls, new plaster, new doors, new floor," said Privitera.
He wasn't planning on renovating his summer home in Scituate, until Mother Nature decided otherwise.
Privitera's house
was one of dozens flooded after a huge wave breached the nearby sea wall last
December. Two homes were destroyed by electrical fires caused by the flooding.
"Believe it or not, we just moved in last Saturday," said Privitera.
Just in time for Hurricane Irene.
Local
Back in December the town put a riprap, or temporary patch of boulders in the damage sea wall, but residents fear it won't hold during the hurricane.
"We're concerned about the riprap," said Donna Farrington. "Whether it's going to stay and not settle and protect the homes in the neighborhood."
Farrington's home suffered so much damage to her home in December, she and her family had to move out for five months.
"I'm not ready for it or prepared for it to all go away again," she said.
Farrington
is also worried about scaring her eight-year-old daughter Jaina.
"We might evacuate to a hotel or something," said Jaina. "But I think I'm ok."
At
the Ocean Side Inn, owner Dennis Badore is getting his inn and his guests
ready for Irene. He'll put the guests up at a hotel further inland, but he says
sometimes the guests don't want to go.
"I tell them it's too dangerous. I don't want to be responsible for them getting injured or dying," said Badore.
Pivitera meanwhile
has his plywood ready and is hoping for the best, because he doesn't want to
leave this little slice of heaven on earth.
"Sitting on the deck in August looking at the ocean, we say I guess it's worth it," said Pivitera.
The town administrator said the process is well underway for a permanent fix for the sea wall. The town has approved the funds and they are in the permitting stage...but that's no where near in time for Hurricane Irene.
