Van Son Family Home Teetering on River Bank after Flood

AVON – Ted and Edna Van Son have lived at 4738 Littleville Road for nearly 30 years. After Sunday’s Mother’s Day flash flood, they are not sure if it will still be standing next week.

Ted Van Son Jr. says that though the inside of the house was not damaged by the rushing waters, at 5 a.m. Monday morning a landslide down the Conesus Lake outlet dropped their backyard down 3 feet from where it was last night, exposing the foundation of the home.

“Suddenly the dog starts barking and barking and I hear this ‘whoooosh!'” said Van Son Jr., standing on the edge of the slide. “The whole backyard just went, and now it’s gone and there’s the foundation and there’s our septic line. At 8 a.m. you could still hear trees cracking and tipping over down the bank. I mean, one more like that and the house cracks in half. All it takes is the water getting in these new cracks and that’s it.”

Van Son Jr. says that the ground continues to settle perilously close to the edge of the drainage, and his family is in need of help from whoever can volunteer a shovel or some dirt.

“This is crazy. This must have dropped another few inches even from this morning, and here’s the next crack way back here,” said Van Son Jr., standing at a new crack in the ground a few feet from the edge of the slide. “We need to fill in what’s collapsing. I’m not asking for much, just to be able to tell Mom her house she’s lived in her whole life will still be here next week. As long as it’s clean dirt, I don’t care if the Town foots it or not.”

Van Son Jr. said that Town Supervisor David LeFeber stopped by the house to survey the damage, and agreed that this needed help soon. Avon fire crews and construction crews are working round-the-clock to help residents like the Van Sons.

“What happened was the water pooled across Lakeville Road like a pond,” said Van Son Jr. “When it got full it washed down here like a river. What we really need is some drainage ditches right here, like some big tubes,” said Van Son Jr., pointing down his driveway. Then those pooled ‘ponds’ could flow right into the Conesus outlet. I had to move my trailer from the driveway since it has equipment for my band, Double-Cross, in it. I was standing in the middle of the road and there was easily 8 inches of water flowing over my feet.”

Though their situation is uncertain and the damages to their property will be a major expense, they maintain a steadfast attitude and are moving forward as best they can.

“What can I do? It’s no different than a tornado or a hurricane,” added Van Son. “Whatever happens happens, I do what I can and the Town does what it can.”

The Van Sons now have a fundraiser page to help their effort to save their home.

PHOTO CAPTION: (Photos/Conrad Baker)

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