Several Plum Island homes destroyed by storm

PLUM ISLAND, Mass. (WHDH) -- The winter storm pummeled several Plum Island homes, the strong wind and surf damaging some beyond repair.

One home completely collapsed shortly before 9 a.m. Friday and was teetering into the ocean past high tide Friday night. Punishing waves pulled furniture and appliances from the home, sending them floating into the ocean.

The foundation of the house cracked Thursday, but it was the high tide Friday morning that finally brought the house down. It’s now resting on concrete and boulders and contents like furniture have spilled onto the beach.

Neighbor Kathy Connors, a year-round Plum Island resident, said that the home was dangling over the ocean at a 45 degree angle. Connors said that the owner of the home that was dangling off the edge is mainly a summer resident and was in Florida during the storm. He was aware of the damage.

“Well it’s devastating news. I mean, I’ve owned the house for a long, long time and there’s a lot of memories and everything that goes with it. It was a great home and a great place and now it’s gone,” said Stephen Bandoian, homeowner.

Seven homes on Annapolis Way have been destroyed beyond repair and two of them will be demolished. One of the houses belongs to the Nee family. Following February’s blizzard, Thomas Nee installed a $42,000 support system, but that was breached by Mother Nature.

“It was completely undermined and then the floor fell. We just boarded that floor last week,” said Nee. “We did the best we could, but it’s the ocean. When it’s coming in, it’s coming in. It’s incredibly strong.”

On Fordham Way, many foundations crumbled and decks were destroyed, leaving five houses uninhabitable. Building inspectors put up cease and desist signs after the waves ripped down the shore sides of the homes. The sand cords set up before the storm were shredded.

Crews will tear down the teetering house and a house two doors down Saturday morning.