02262018 Home Assessment Team
02262018 Home Assessment Team

St. Regis River Flood Update -- February 27, 2018

Feb 27, 2018

AKWESASNE, NY — The Unified Incident Command issued the following update today on flooding that displaced around 100 residents and impacted 35 homes along the St. Regis River:

INCIDENT COMMAND -- The Unified Incident Command Post; comprised of the Emergency Planning Office, Hogansburg-Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police, with support from county and state agencies; was demobilized on Monday, February 26, 2018 for fire fighters to get much-needed rest however. The structure of the Unified Incident Command however, remains in place and will be overseen by the Emergency Planning Office.

ONGOING MONITORING – Two ice packs located upstream are continuing to be monitored. One is located in the vicinity of McNeil Road, while the other is located along Maple Ridge Road in the Town of Helena. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department will continue to monitor both ice jams and report changes. Information will continue to be shared on CKON 97.3fm, Akwesasne TV, Tribe’s Facebook page and website at www.srmt-nsn.gov, and by following #akwesasneflood on social media.

ROAD CLOSURES – The Unified Incident Command reports on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 that only one road remains closed--Grey Street in Hogansburg due to being washed out. Church Street at the St. Regis Mohawk School has reopened this morning, but students have been relocated to Salmon River Central’s main campus for the remainder of this week. Cleanup of floodwater continues at the school. Leo Swamp Road has a partial washout, but is open with safety cones to direct traffic.

HOME ASSESSMENTS — The Unified Incident Command reports that 17 of 35 impacted homes have been assessed and cleared on Monday, February 26, 2018 for some residents to return home. Home assessment resumed this morning and residents will be notified directly of homes that are safe to return. The home assessment includes air quality testing and inspections of structure, heating, electrical and sewage systems.

FLOODED BASEMENTS -- Homeowners who have flooded basements are instructed DO NOT pump the water from your basement until an assessment has been made. HAVFD has teams available to pump basements after a home assessment has been completed. Any affected homeowners requiring an assessment can contact the Emergency Planning Office to schedule a time by calling (518) 358-2272 extensions 2210 and 2230.

RETURNING HOME -- Information has been made available by the Franklin Country Public Health Department for the safe return of residents to their homes after flooding. The information has been distributed to evacuees, as well as made available on the Tribe’s website and Facebook page. To help, arrangements are being made for the American Red Cross to return and distribute additional flood cleanup kits and comfort kits. That information will be provided when a time and location has been confirmed.

LONG-TERM MITIGATION -- The Unified Incident Command notes approximately 5 to 6 homes require long-term mitigation, so the Division of Social Services will be working with individuals directly on locating suitable accommodations. In the meantime, they encourage community members to consider providing temporary lodging for any displaced family members or friends.

SANDBAGS AVAILABLE – There are still FREE sandbags available for residents to pick up at their convenience. The sandbags are located on the right side of Tribe’s Maintenance Building, as well as behind the Tribe’s Animal Control pens on the building’s left side.

The Unified Incident Command is reminding individuals that the State of Emergency issued by the Tribal Council at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2018 remains in effect until the declaration is rescinded. They are instructing residents along the St. Regis River to remain vigilant and cautious for changing river conditions. Please continue to follow instructions contained in the flood preparedness brochure distributed to all household in flood prone areas.

For more information or instruction, please listen to 97.3fm CKON, follow the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Facebook page and website, watch Akwesasne TV or follow #akwesasneflood on social media.

Should you require assistance, please call the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police at (518) 358-9200 or Franklin County Emergency Services at “9-1-1”.

PHOTO CAPTION: The Unified Incident Command dispatched a Home Assessment Team to conduct air quality tests and inspections of home’s structure, heating, electrical and sewage systems for the safe return of nearly 100 residents displaced along the St. Regis River. The Home Assessment Team began assessments on Sunday, February 25, 2018 and have cleared 17 of 35 homes by yesterday evening. The Team is comprised of members from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Compliance Department and Environment Division, along with representatives from the Franklin County Hazmat Team and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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