Officials to meet East Germantown residents to discuss the recent flooding

Elected officials will host a meeting Wednesday night to tell East Germantown residents “directly impacted” by last week’s floods how to go about getting aid from city, state or federal entities.

William Nesheiwat from Eighth District City Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller’s office said the session has been advertised locally via flyers, and is intended for only those who were impacted by the rising waters. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Waterview Recreation Center, 5826 McMahon St.

Also expected to attend is Cindy Bass, but the council candidate will be there representing U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah to assist with FEMA issues.

Residents who plan on attending said they have many questions and concerns to address.

“They have to step up and say they’re going to put some money into this and see what the capacity of the storm system is there,” said Michael Marino, a landlord who owns a building on the corner of Belfield Ave. and East Haines St. “I can’t see people moving back because it’s inevitable something is going to happen if nothing’s done.”

Tom Green, of Tranzilli’s Real Water Ice Inc. on Belfield Avenue, said the city has condemned several homes immediately around the intersection. They may soon be leveled, he said.

Most of those residents, he added, don’t have flood insurance and will be looking to this city for help along with other neighbors.

“We’re all relying on the city to take the heat on this,” Green said. “We’re gunning for them to pay for this. … You can rest assured there will be some yelling and screaming to some degree.”