Originally Posted - June 29, 2006

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ALBANY---Gov. George E. Pataki declared a State Disaster Emergency for Oneida, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties on Thursday. He had previously declared Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Otsego, Schoharie and Tioga counties as a State Disaster Emergency, bringing the total number of counties included in the Governor's declaration to 13.

"After the rains moved across the State, bringing with them heavy flooding, assessments revealed the need for assistance in these four additional counties," Governor Pataki said. "Under my orders, State agencies are continuing to provide any and all assistance to local governments in the flooded areas. Earlier today I toured some of the stricken areas and saw unparalleled devastation.

"As we continue to do everything possible, I know the prayers and thoughts of all New Yorkers are with flood victims who have suffered much hardship. We will get through this trying period and, together, and we will rebuild our communities," the Governor added.

This morning, the Governor directed that the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented and authorized the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) to coordinate State agencies assisting local governments with taking appropriate action to protect property and assist affected individuals and local governments in responding to and recovering from these storms. The State Emergency Operations Center has been activated and is in constant contact with the affected counties.

The Governor also activated the National Guard early Tuesday evening to support evacuation and engineering missions. More than 300 National Guard soldiers are expected to be involved in evacuation-related and other flood response missions by tomorrow. The Guard is providing five aircraft - two medevac Hueys, two Blackhawks and a Chinook - to assist State Police in rescue operations. In addition, the New York State Department of Transportation has more than 350 personnel and 132 pieces of equipment committed to the response throughout the flood-stricken areas.

Rangers and Law Enforcement personnel from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are assisting local government and State Police with rescues of stranded people due to flooding. Rangers have deployed 3 airboats and crews to assist State Police Troop C in Sidney (Delaware County) with evacuations. Rangers are also assisting with evacuations of stranded campers at Little Pond campground. The Department of Environmental Conservation is assisting with pumping operations at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton. Rangers in the Catskill and Southern Tier areas are assisting on an ongoing basis with evacuations, as needed.

State Police have conducted evacuations in Broome and Delaware counties utilizing its aviation unit and ground personnel. The troop emergency control plan has been activated and personnel have been deployed to impacted areas. In addition to traffic control operations, air boat and divers were deployed early today and have rescued individuals who were transported to safe locations.

The State office of Fire Prevention and Control activated the State Fire Mobilization plan this morning and dispatched the NY Task Force #2 (Swift Water Rescue Capability) to Broome County along with two Swift Water teams from Ontario County and one team each from Jefferson and Schenectady counties.

The Department of Health/Bureau of Emergency Medical Services has deployed staff to Broome County to assess the situation and assist with county EMS coordination.

State Emergency Management Office Director John R. Gibb said, "Be aware of current conditions and emergency information in your community by monitoring local radio and TV broadcasts. If you are advised to evacuate, do so promptly."

The SEMO director also urged citizens to follow these safety tips:

Stay away from downed power lines.

Restrict children from playing in flooded areas.

If certain travel routes are advised, use those routes rather than trying to find short cuts. Watch for washed-out roads, earth slides, broken water or sewer mains, loose or downed electrical wires and falling or fallen objects.

If you are told to shut off water, gas or electrical service to your home before leaving, do so. Before you leave, secure your home. Bring inside or secure loose items. Shutter windows and doors securely.

If your home has suffered flood damage, test drinking water for potability and wells should be pumped out and the water tested before drinking.

Do not use fresh food that has come in contact with floodwaters. Wash canned goods that come in contact with floodwaters with soap and hot water.

© 2006 North Country Gazette