To the editor:

I have resided at 515 Seventh Avenue for 24 years. When I initially moved there, I was so happy to have a home and a great school system for my children at the time. During my 24 years of living there, I have been flooded numerous times. I wish I could tell you which of those times was the most impactful, but I cannot because they all had a serious impact on my property and my health. I am a single parent, and I did not know that my second job would be facilities and construction management to maintain basic living needs at my home.

Many storms flooded my entire neighborhood, including Sixth Avenue and Seventh Avenue. Some were so bad the president declared my neighborhood a disaster area, and citizens of Pelham who were affected could apply for FEMA assistance. We were thankful, but that help didn’t replace what we’d lost.

I lost a lot of property, including my car. My health has suffered because every time it rains, my stomach hurts, and I am a nervous wreck. My friends and family call me every time it rains. I cannot leave my home for more than a seven-day vacation because I am afraid if it rains, I will not be home to manage it to avoid a more devastating outcome. I have a sump pump and three other pumps that sit on the floor in three areas of the basement. Those pumps stay in place 24 hours a day in the basement anticipating the next flood.

It would be different if this were a flood I caused, but it is not; this is a Village of Pelham problem. We have been asking, begging, pleading with every mayor and board member to please help. It is not fair! We are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We are unable to achieve that with this flooding problem. It is to the point that the flooding issue is ruining the house’s foundation. I am happy that the village government is engineering a way to stop this flooding in north Pelham, and that the federal, state, and county governments are offering funds to help fix the flooding. I pray for understanding and compassion from the board of education to allow for the village to be able to take necessary action that the people of north Pelham and other affected areas deserve. I have pictures of the floods through the years with the damage caused to my home for anyone who would like to see them.

Thelma Bowling

515 Seventh Ave.