First 8 Home Buyouts in South River Completed

New Jersey officials have completed buyouts of eight homes damaged by Superstorm Sandy in South River as its program to buy and demolish storm-prone properties continues.

So far, the state has funding for 424 buyouts statewide.

The Environmental Protection Department says 169 property owners have accepted buyout offers in South River and Sayreville. The two Middlesex County municipalities sustained significant flooding when Sandy's storm surge pushed from Raritan Bay into the South River.

The state eventually hopes to buy 1,000 homes in areas affected by Sandy, as well as 300 more in other towns.

The houses will be razed and the land returned to its natural state as a buffer against future storms.

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