Residents react to seawall rejection rumor

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- In the aftermath of Sandy something that's taking some added importance; there's word the state has rejected a request to fund the building of a seawall to protect some homes along the New Haven coastline.

Life is supposed to be calmer there, better there, perfect there.

"Time is something we don't have," said Dave Kronberg. "As you can readily see, it's getting worse and worse, and worse."

However, the stress for some in New Haven's Morris Cove area is building like a tropical storm.

"It only becomes a matter of time before homes start falling in," said Brian Pedalino. "You can only dump so much money out of your own pockets, retirement, out of your own savings."

The fear is that at least 10 homes are vulnerable to storm surge, some even getting hit during a normal high tide. With the state rejecting an application to pay for the construction of a 500 foot seawall, homeowners like Dave Kronberg worry their investments will eventually be washed away.

"From Greenwich to Stonington, we're all getting screwed," said Kronberg, "that beach is gone."

"These houses will go, if the erosion continues, weather patterns continue, these houses will go," said Patti Avallone.

She didn't wait for FEMA, but took it upon herself to build her own state-of-the-art seawall before Irene hit. It saved her house twice, her old wall, would have led to a call to the insurance company.

"Things have changed, the water is coming closer to the walls, and my wall couldn't handle it," said Avallone.

The city has pledged to keep applying, while homeowners keep waiting. Kronberg tried to build his own seawall, without permits, only to be told to stop.

The picture is perfect; the future, for now, is not.

"That's why we're paying taxes," Kronberg said..."FEMA was set up to help this sort of situation."