BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON - Deputy Mayor Anna Sorensen reports that many village residents still have questions on how to report damages from the Aug. 9 flooding event in Canton.

“The Clerk’s office continues to receive phone calls from folks unsure of how to report damage from the flood or apply for assistance with repairs,” stated Sorensen. “In addition to ensuring their access to help, we want to make sure our community reports the extent of the damage as that may influence the funding that can be accessed for improving infrastructure against future storms, etc.”

The village has posted information on the website and social media but are trying to get the word out more widely and, of course, “thought of you two,” Sorensen said.

A link from St. Lawrence County should provide the pertinent information for village residents on what and how to report damages.

That link is https://stlawco.gov/sites/default/files/Links%20for%20Storm%20Assessments%20from%20Tropical%20Storm%20Debby%20Damages.docx

It reads:

If you have sustained damage to your home or business, PLEASE fill out this survey form:

Damage Self-Reporting Tool: Homes & Businesses (arcgis.com)

If you are a homeowner who has sustained damage to your home and wish to receive assistance please do the following:

Check your income eligibility (Funds are eligible to households whose income is at or below $157,800.) 

Fill out the following form: New York State Homes & Community Renewal (office.com)

Document any emergency work that has been done with pictures, keep all receipts and gather information that shows that you own your home and that it is your primary residence.

Review the program Guidelines. See: resilient-and-ready-trop-debby-guidelines2024-08-16.pdf (ny.gov)

Additional information is available at: Tropical Storm Debby | Homes and Community Renewal (ny.gov)

Mayor Michael Dalton updated the board on the extensive damage throughout the village and town at the village board’s Aug. 21

“Heavy damage was caused due to the rain event on the 9th with over 6.75 inches in a short period of time,” Dalton reported. “Sullivan Drive washed out leaving limited emergency access to the apartment building and to Partridge Knoll and all parks were flooded when the Grasse reached a historic level, with heavy damage to all.”

Flooding closed Taylor Park for the summer season and a New York State swift water team had to rescue a family from the park.

“Damage was unprecedented in all our parks,” he said.

Sewer treatment operations were out for a substantial period of time when the main lift station flooded. A fire truck and three 4” trailer mounted pumps pumped directly into the river.

“A damage assessment to replace much of the equipment is approximately $1.5 million,” the mayor said.

The mayor stressed the importance of homeowners and businesses to report all damages associated with flooding. A form is available on the town and village website.

“There’s a lot to think about. There will be resiliency money down the road but will need documentation,” stated Dalton who noted the fire department has kept very good records of storm damage.

The Canton Fire Department received 85 calls for assistance in just the first 10 hours of the storm and another 20 calls over the following 14 hours. Twenty-four members responded and would be out on calls for more than 12 hours before getting a break.

Any property owners, both residential and commercial, are encouraged to report damages.