New York State is putting forth millions of dollars to assist municipalities affected by rising water levels along the Lake Ontario shoreline. If a bill passes the State Senate this week, private property owners may see some relief, too.
Monday morning, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that $10 million will be available to municipalities along the shoreline that are in need of help to repair roads, sidewalks, sewers, flood walls and other infrastructure damaged by Lake Ontario's higher-than-normal water levels.
Additionally, mobile command centers will be deployed throughout the week to assist with insurance claims. One such center was scheduled to be hosted at the Olcott Fire Company in the Town of Newfane on Tuesday, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
State Senator Robert Ortt, whose district includes the shorelines of Niagara and Orleans Counties, welcomed the governor's announcement and stated that lawmakers were set to act this week on a bill that would provide help to private property owners.
"This bill would set aside relief funding for private property owners, small businesses, farms as well as not-for-profits who are impacted by these lake levels, who suffered damage and who otherwise are not covered under FEMA, state emergency relief funding or their insurance," Ortt said.
Although the heavy rains have passed, Ortt says blowing winds continue to stir up waves in spots. He told WBFO there are multiple spots of concern within his district, the greater problems exist in Orleans County and to the east.
He also stated that the negative economic impact will be felt for some time. He pointed to the example of Olcott Beach, and the recent decision by operators to cancel swimming for the entire season due to flood damage.
"The problem is without the beach being opened, a lot of recreational fishing and recreational draw that the beach is, to the Town of Olcott and to that part of Niagara County, those shops and those restaurants are probably going to see a decline," Ortt said.
