In the days after Superstorm Sandy flooded out the Town of Freeport, it became focused on building smarter.

Nearly 4,000 homes were flooded during the October 2012 storm. On Buffalo Avenue, a 100-family unit building became unlivable in a matter of hours.

Mayor Robert Kennedy says those residents were relocated to a raised building across the street – one that was built to withstand massive flooding.

Also, a series of pumping stations have since been installed on Hudson Avenue now outfitted with pumps to push water out during high tide or during a storm.

Kennedy touted a bulk heading that is “literally three stories beneath the ground and 7 feet above.”

“It now guards the entire perimeter of the light and power plant here in Freeport,” he told News 12.

During Sandy, Freeport Creek surged into the Department of Public Works garage, flooding out the facility and causing $7 million in damage. After the storm, the village installed flood barrier gates – an easy fix to an expensive problem.

Similar gates have been installed in all buildings owned by the village in the flood zone.

Kennedy says nearly 300 homes have been raised since 2012. But the mayor says the village is still waiting for the Army Corps of Engineers to give the go ahead on surge barrier gates that would prevent flooding.

“These gates are proven to be effective,” he said. “We've already spent $6 million in feasibility studies.”