Kevin Wisely, who also serves as deputy commissioner for the state's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, met with St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Michael Lecuyer, St. Lawrence County Administrator Ruth Doyle and Ogdensburg Mayor Wayne Ashley and took a brief tour of the greenbelt.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, who spent time last week filling sandbags with other volunteers and National Guard troops in Chaumont, said Governor Andrew Cuomo and his administration have been working hard to provide assistance to communities that have been impacted by flooding on the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
"I appreciate Director Wisely making the trip to St. Lawrence County Monday morning to discuss the flooding issue and do a quick tour in the area. I know he was also making a stop in Oswego County and that will provide him with a good idea of the challenges our shoreline communities in Jefferson County are facing. It's always beneficial when our state leaders have boots on the ground in our region," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
She said she is cosponsoring legislation drafted by Assemblyman Joe Morelle that would establish a $105 million flood recovery grant program limited to municipalities on the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
The bill, expected to be introduced this week, would establish a grant program for flood recovery as well as mitigation planning for future weather events. The program would allow small businesses, farmers, owners of multiple dwellings, homeowners, not-for profit corporations and municipalities to receive grants from the Empire State Development Corporation.
Director Wisely, during his stop in Ogdensburg, said 1.3 million sandbags have been packed across an eight-county region since the first flooding was reported on April 11 in Wayne and Orleans counties. He said there are sandbag machines deployed to each county in the region, and three counties currently have two machines.
"Water levels are expected to remain high or rise over the next five weeks," he said, noting the winds associated with late spring and early summer storms could also cause problems for shoreline communities.
Mr. Wisely said the state started out with eight sandbag machines and has added five more to its fleet in recent weeks to meet the need. He said 200 National Guard members have also been deployed around the region to assist in the sandbag effort, and the Army Corps of Engineers is also providing technical assistance at the request of Governor Cuomo.
Mr. Lecuyer showed Mr. Wisely that the water level has dropped several inches by Monday from its high mark in the greenbelt area near the Dobisky Center.
He said of the 10,000 sandbags that were packed last week for St. Lawrence County approximately 1,750 were being used to protect properties in the city of Ogdensburg and the towns of Morristown and Oswegatchie.
"Our expectation is the need for sandbags will grow this weekend when people come to the area this Memorial Day weekend to open their camps and find out they are inundated with water," Mr. Lecuyer noted.
Mayor Ashley said there is some concern that a walking path in the city may have been damaged by the flood waters, but he said city officials won't be able to assess the damage until the water levels drop.
Director Wisely said the coastal erosion being seen along the shores of Lake Ontario is a reminder of the importance of counties having up to date hazard mitigation plans.
The state's director of the Office of Emergency Management was also meeting with Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul early Monday afternoon to tour areas impacted by flood damage in Fair Haven. He planned to finish his day by meeting with Oswego County officials late Monday afternoon to tour areas impacted by high water levels in that region.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
New York State Office of Emergency Management Director Kevin Wisely, second from left, discusses flooding issues in the city of Ogdensburg with Mayor Wayne Ashley, third from left, Monday morning during a tour of the greenbelt area behind the Dobisky Center. They were joined on the tour by St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Director Michael Lecuyer and St. Lawrence County Administrator Ruth Doyle. Pictured are (l-r): Mr. Lecuyer, Director Wisely, Mayor Ashley and County Administrator Doyle.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Ogdensburg Mayor Wayne Ashley (left) told New York State Office of Emergency Management Director Kevin Wisely, center, and St. Lawrence County Emergency Services Director Michael Lecuyer, left, he is one of a number of St. Lawrence County property owners that have had their docks taken away by high water levels.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, far left, worked along with National Guard troops filling sandbags in Chaumont last week.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, far left, worked along with National Guard troops filling sandbags in Chaumont last week.
