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Years After Flood, Protection Project To Start in Duryea

DURYEA — State officials announced a plan to build a new flood wall starting next week in Duryea, a community hit hard by flooding in 2011, when the nearb...
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DURYEA -- State officials announced a plan to build a new flood wall starting next week in Duryea, a community hit hard by flooding in 2011, when the nearby Lackawanna River flooded its banks.

"It was horrible. It's the first time, I'm 54-years old and never ever seen Duryea looking like it did back then. If they're not going to fix the river, it's not worth being down here because your house isn't worth anything,” said Joanne Vanness of Duryea.

Dozens of homes and businesses were destroyed by the flooding in 2011. Vice-President Joe Biden visited the area soon after, promising help.

"He came into the house, came through the house and there was a house next door, which was my mother's house which we had to demolish. He was nice and he said he'd do what he could,” said Valerie Olszewski of Duryea.

Now, years later, state officials say help has arrived in the form of a flood-control project, a $1.5 million flood wall running along the river bank.

Money to pay for the project is state-funded. There is no federal money involved. Work is scheduled to start next week.

"Honestly, we think it's a good idea to prevent what happened in 2011 happening again,” said Emma Leatham who lives along the river in Duryea.

"It'll be great to see it started. I hope it completes well. I hope it goes well and everything is on time,” said Scott Moscatelli of Duryea.

Barring any serious weather like snow or heavy rain, the construction crew plans to complete the project by early June.

"I'm really happy. I hope it will pan out to be what it's supposed to be and give us some protection,” said Olszewski.

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