After buyouts and relocations for homeowners, demolition begins on 24 Fire Island homes

Workers have begun razing two dozen homes on Fire Island to fortify the Hurricane Sandy-damaged dunes that could stop the ocean from overtopping the resort island, Newsday reported. Federal taxpayers are paying for the dunes, but Suffolk County had to try to get hundreds of easements, arranging home buyouts as well as relocating pools and decks. The buyout prices were based on current appraisals, as per federal regulations. Some homeowners disputed the buyouts and 17 were spared. The 24 homes being razed in Ocean Bay Park, Davis Park and Fire Island Pines are expected to be fully destroyed by January. [Newsday]