Teams of Salvation Army, American Red Cross and Catholic Charities volunteers have been delivering supplies and water to help victims in Delaware County, which was left a disaster area by Hurricane Irene winds and rain, officials said Thursday.
Damages in Margaretville, Arkville and Fleischmanns are estimated to be tens of millions of dollars, Steve Hood, deputy director of emergency services in Delaware County, said Thursday, and more-specific assessments are under way.
Hurricane Irene hit the East Coast last weekend and reached New York City on Sunday, when it was downgraded to a tropical storm.
Heavy rains and gusty high-winds swept over central New York, causing flooding in some communities.
In Fleischmanns, a woman drowned when flooding swept away the Valkyrian Motel.
On Thursday, a Disaster Recovery Center was opened at the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center in Highmount, Hood said. County, state and federal emergency management officials will be at the center today to help resident file applications for disaster relief, he said.
Meanwhile Thursday, recovery efforts continued, and Hood said overall they seemed to be going well, with many needs for shelter and water being met.
Catholic Charities of Delaware and Otsego Counties has been collecting items at its 176 Main St., Oneonta, office and transporting them to distribution sites in Margaretville, Fleischmanns and Roxbury in coordination with the Delaware emergency services department, Ken Goldfarb, spokesman for the charity organization, said Thursday night. Six carloads of items already had been delivered, he said.
Needs continue for baby wipes, formula and diapers, bleach, paper towels, water and nonperishable food, Goldfarb said.
Mary Jo Barnello, spokeswoman for the Empire State Division of the Salvation Army, said people are suffering and appreciated deliveries of supplies.
At about 8 a.m. Thursday at the Salvation Army on River Street in Oneonta, about 10 volunteers and workers were briefed in preparation for another day of helping flood victims in Delaware County. They loaded two disaster-relief trucks, which look like ambulances outside and have kitchens inside, with food and supplies before leaving for Delaware County.
Two teams of two volunteers left in vehicles with supplies to be roving units that travel the countryside looking for people who need help. Damages visible in the area include collapsed houses, washed-out roads and crushed vehicles that have to be towed away, Edith Pigford, a retired Salvation Army lieutenant colonel from Unadilla, said Thursday.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Salvation Army volunteers helped in Margaretville, Fleischmanns and Roxbury, and also in Prattsville after access was possible Wednesday, Pigford said.
Pigford said she and her husband, Gene, also a retired lieutenant colonel, have been to disasters as large as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina and small incidents of local flooding. Hurricane Irene's impact in Delaware County is massive because many communities are affected, she said.
Victims speak about appreciation for assistance, Pigford said, and they complain about perceived shortfalls in government response.
"We've heard some sorrow," Pigford said. "They just don't know how they're going to cope."
Sometimes delivering supplies, "just listening" to victims and offering a reminder that "tomorrow will come _ another day" have a reassuring effect, Pigford said. Also, sharing stories about living through and cleaning up after disasters is helpful, she said.
As of Wednesday, the Salvation Army had deployed six mobile feeding units in flood-ravaged areas of Amsterdam, Fleischmanns, Margaretville, Roxbury and Schenectady, a media release said, and more than 1,600 meals, drinks and snacks were served. Two semi-truckloads of drinking water donated by Walmart were sent to hospitals and nursing homes in Delaware County where floodwaters and power outages have contaminated water supplies.
At the Margaretville Fire Station on Thursday, a Salvation Army Team from Bellaire, Ohio, was serving meals to residents, volunteer workers, volunteer firefighters from neighboring stations, and National Guard personnel, a media release said. By the end of the day, about 400 individuals were served, plus many more meals were delivered elsewhere.
"We really appreciate the Salvation Army being here helping our community, we need it and you guys are a great support," Mike Porter, president of the Margaretville Fire Department, said in Thursday's release. "So far, we've been at it for days and had 48 rescues already. Now the volunteers from Stamford, Andes and Halcottsville are here helping with pumps and cleanup."
Barnello said the teams were returning late Thursday night. This morning, she said, workers and volunteers would meet to review the previous day's outreach and decided on steps for today.
"It starts all over again," she said.
The American Red Cross of South Central New York has provided eight sheltering sites during the week in Delaware County, spokesman Brian McConnell said, and as of Wednesday night, 112 overnights were provided, along with 549 meals and 931 snacks.
Volunteers next will help residents return to their homes, he said, and health services and counseling will be available.
"Historically, disasters bring people together," McConnell said.
Hurricane Irene
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Area volunteers deliver needed relief
- Hurricane Irene
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Red Cross closes last shelter but aid efforts continue
Aid efforts for flood victims continue throughout the region as individuals and organizations tend to the needs of the thousands affected by last weekend's storms and flooding.
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Disaster relief
The Daily Star is compiling information about aid available to flood victims, and relief efforts being undertaken by local individuals and organizations. To add to this list, email news@thedailystar.com or call 432-1000, ext. 217.
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Red Cross closes last Delaware County shelter
Aid efforts for flood victims continue throughout the region as individuals and organizations tend to the needs of the thousands affected by last weekend’s storms and flooding.
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Schoharie couple recall night of flood, pick up pieces
SCHOHARIE _ It begins as a tiny stream on the north slope of 3,573-foot Indian Head Mountain in the Eastern Catskills.
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Some area NYSEG customers still without power
Although two local utilities report having restored nearly all power to customers affected by Tropical Storm Irene more than a week ago, hundreds of local customers are among those who remain without power.
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Week in Review: Hurricane Irene aftermath
Hurricane Irene dominated the news locally as well as nationally this week.
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Hurricane Irene caused damage but brought community together
I often say that being a news editor is never boring. The past week has been a vivid example of just what I mean.
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Delaware County offers transportation to victims of Irene
In a press release, the Delaware County Human Services Departments announced today that they have arranged for free public transportation for victims of Hurricane Irene to travel to the Disaster Assistance Service Center at Belleayre Ski Center in High Mount and two area grocery stores.
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disaster Aid and assistance
The Daily Star is compiling information about aid available to flood victims, and relief efforts being undertaken by local individuals and organizations. To add to this list, email news@thedailystar.com or call 432-1000, ext. 217.
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Delaware flood center offers laundry, showers, food
The Delaware County Flood Recovery Center is open at Belleayre Ski Center, according to a media release from the Delaware County Office of Emergency Services.
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Area residents may have power restored by the weekend
Most area residents still without power should have service restored by the weekend, but some repairs are taking longer than originally estimated, according to figures provided by two utilities Thursday afternoon.
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Public transportation arranged for local Irene victims
In a press release, the Delaware County Human Services Departments announced today that they have arranged for free public transportation for victims of Hurricane Irene to travel to the Disaster Assistance Service Center at Belleayre Ski Center in High Mount and two area grocery stores.
The Disaster Assistance Service Center is a three-county service center for Delaware, Greene and Ulster counties.
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Free laundry, batteries in Cobleskill
Free laundry service and device recharging will be available in Cobleskill today and tomorrow.
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Area volunteers deliver needed relief
Teams of Salvation Army, American Red Cross and Catholic Charities volunteers have been delivering supplies and water to help victims in Delaware County, which was left a disaster area by Hurricane Irene winds and rain, official said Thursday.
-
disaster Aid and assistance
The Daily Star is compiling information about aid available to flood victims, and relief efforts being undertaken by local individuals and organizations. To add to this list, email news@thedailystar.com or call 432-1000, ext. 217.
- Delaware County officials urge residents to apply for help
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Sens. Schumer, Gillibrand campaign for disaster aid
New York's two U.S. senators kept up their campaigns for federal disaster aid Thursday in separate statements.
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Power to be restored to local counties in next few days
Customers in the local four counties continue to be among those still missing power in large numbers, but many will have service restored within the next few days, according to figures provided by two utilities on Thursday afternoon.
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Red Cross opens three day centers
The American Red Cross has opened day centers in the region for area residents affected by flooding. The following centers are open until 6 p.m. today, and will serve hot meals at 5 p.m.
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Area officials welcome federal disaster assistance
President Barack Obama's declaration of a state of emergency in Delaware, Schoharie and other counties affected by Hurricane Irene was seen as good news by those interviewed Wednesday. Two Democratic senators urged more action for farmers in the affected counties.
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Over 10,000 NYSEG customers still without power in area
Work continued to restore electrical service to the thousands without power in the region on Tuesday, but many remain without service, with some scheduled to wait until next week for restoration.
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NYSEG announces timetable for repairs
NYSEG has released estimated restoration times for the first time since Hurricane Irene swept through the region.
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Meals available in Otsego County
Otsego County is offering meal sites in Oneonta and Unadilla today.
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Interstate 88 exits reopened
Interstate 88 in Schoharie County between exit 22 for Cobleskill and Middleburgh and exit 23 for Central Bridge and Schoharie has been re-opened, the state Department of Transportation said Wednesday afternoon.
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AP: President declares disaster for eight upstate counties
President Barack Obama has declared a disaster in New York after Tropical Storm Irene, freeing up federal recovery funds for area counties, according to the Associated Press.
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Red Cross closes last shelter but aid efforts continue
