Long Beach couple fights for Sandy money to rebuild home

LONG BEACH, N.Y. (WABC) -- Jim Clark and his wife, Ena, said they have been fighting to rebuild the home they shared for 30 years after it was damaged in Superstorm Sandy.

Two months ago, they were forced to throw in the towel.

"I'm tired of being angry. I feel like I've been in a fistfight every day for a year and half," said Jim Clark.

The couple has been waiting for FEMA funds and New York rising grants, but recently there was hold put on flood insurance funds.

"We're not going to be able to do anything until we get some more money," said Clark. "The bank has our insurance money and won't give it until we are 100 percent complete. I don't know how we are supposed to get 100 percent complete ... until we get the rest of our money."

For Ena Clark, a grandmother to nine children, she hoped to host them during summer vacation. That won't be possible.

"Everybody's let me down," she said.

The couple was forced to raze their house, and now they're unable to protect the progress they've made so far.

"My house is standing in the rain. Water's getting into it and eventually it's going to rot," Jim Clark said.

But their bank, which has released $150,000 of their flood insurance payout, wouldn't budge on the last $51,000.

The couple has since reported that after a call from 7 On Your Side, their bank has reached out and issued the Clarks a $51,000 check.

"They called me up a day after you contacted them," said Jim Clark.

"Thank you so much ... we appreciate it," he said.