Cuomo Deploys Senior Officials from DHSES and DEC to Hoosick Falls

Additional State Resources to Assist Communities
Impacted by Severe Storms and Flooding

Governor Andrew Cuomo today directed State agencies to deploy additional personnel emergency resources to assist communities affected by severe thunderstorms and flash flooding on July 1. State officials continue to coordinate with localities to assess impact, provide state support and address any unmet needs. At the Governor's direction, senior officials from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the Department of Environmental Conservation have been deployed to Hoosick Falls to help the community recover from the flooding.

"This weekend's storms resulted in flooding in communities across the state. Officials from numerous state agencies are on the ground with additional equipment, personnel and resources to assist communities that were hit hard by the storms," Governor Cuomo said. "Make no mistake, we will do everything in our power to help impacted communities recover as quickly as possible."

State Actions to Assist Rensselaer County

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

In the Town of Hoosick Falls in Rensselaer County, DHSES’ Office of Fire Prevention and Control, New York Task Force 2 evaluated 59 structures and provided a listing of six properties with structural damage to Village officials. Yesterday, DHSES Commissioner Roger Parrino toured damage and met with local officials in the village to ensure the state is providing any resources necessary to help the community recover from the flooding.

Department of Environmental Conservation

In the Village of Hoosick Falls, several DEC emergency management, spill response, remediation, law enforcement and water engineer staff have been on the scene throughout the weekend in response to major flooding in the area. DEC staff are continuing to provide permitting and technical expertise to local officials as assessments of damages and necessary repairs are developed and the state stands ready to assist with identifying any funding needed to help the community recover.

DEC Spills Response oversaw the cleanup and containment of four minor spills. DEC’s Dam Safety engineers are working with local emergency managers to inspect the Hoosac School Dam. DEC ‎also continues to assist impacted homeowners with Point of Entry Treatment systems. POETs are closed water treatment systems that should not be impacted by basement or first floor flooding. DEC assessed no damage to the state superfund sites in the village.

DEC staff will continue to contact homeowners with POETs in areas potentially impacted by flooding and anyone with questions can contact DEC hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-459-8667. ‎In addition, DEC is working with Rensselaer County Department of Health to inspect possible damage to the wastewater treatment plant at the Country Acres Mobile Home Park. DEC is also inspecting damage to the Man of Kent Restaurant.

Department of Transportation

Route 7 in Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer County is open to alternating one-way traffic controlled by a temporary signal at two locations due to slope erosion and culvert damage. Assessment continues to determine the time frame for a full reopening.

State Actions to Assist Oneida County

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

DHSES distributed 15 pumps and various hoses and four generators to the Town of Whitesboro and 1,600 filled sandbags to the City of Utica.

Department of Environmental Conservation

In Oneida County, DEC is overseeing work to ensure the integrity of the wastewater treatment plant. DEC Spills Response has responded to and overseen the cleanup of seven spills in the flood-impacted area, four in Rensselaer County. In Westchester County, a tractor trailer overturned and spilled 6,000 gallons of sewage. DEC Spills and contractors responded immediately and cleaned up the spill. Follow up continues to ensure a complete cleanup. No sewage was released to nearby water bodies. DEC’s emergency response activities are actively continuing in each county. In Fulton County, DEC is working with the county emergency office to manage levels at Canada Lake. 

Department of Transportation

Route 233 in Westmoreland, Oneida County is closed in both directions at Seneca Turnpike for culvert replacement. The road is expected to reopen in the coming weeks.

Additional State Actions Across the Capital Region, Central New York and Mohawk Valley

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Emergency Management regional staff has been in constant communication with local officials from Herkimer, Oneida, and Rensselaer counties.

Department of Environmental Conservation

The Department of Environmental Conservation is working in Cayuga, Fulton, Herkimer, Oneida, Rensselaer, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Sullivan, and Westchester counties to provide on-the-ground assistance as needed to ensure the integrity of local wastewater treatment plants and dams, investigate and address any spills, provide necessary emergency permits, and inspect and close state facilities such as campgrounds.

Department of Transportation

The New York State Department of Transportation is clearing debris from roads, culverts and bridges across the state caused by flash flooding. While assessments continue, DOT has repaired and reopened 28 roads, including five bridges.

DOT also provided generators, gas pumps, sandbags and concrete barriers to municipalities to assist with cleanup on local roads.

Some roads require more in depth, permanent repairs before reopening, including:

Route 171 in Frankfort, Herkimer County is closed in both directions between Litchfield Road and Furnace Road for debris clearing and culvert replacement. The road is expected to reopen within two weeks.

If you have experienced flooding in your home or business:  

Walls, hard-surfaced floors and many other household surfaces must be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected with a solution of 1 cup of bleach to five gallons of water. 

Thoroughly disinfect surfaces that come in contact with food and children's play areas. 

Wash all linens and clothing in hot water or dry-clean. 

Items that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned, such as mattresses and upholstered furniture, must be air dried in the sun and sprayed thoroughly with a disinfectant. 

Steam-clean all carpeting.

Replace fiberboard, insulation and disposable filters in your heating/cooling system.

More safety tips for staying safe before, during, and after floods and other storms can be found on the DHSES website: www.dhses.ny.gov. 

Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo