BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON — Road and structural repairs following an Aug. 9 flood in St. Lawrence County are expected to cost the county millions of dollars but officials say they are seeking reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

Legislators passed a resolution during the Aug. 26 Finance Committee meeting, authorizing $650,000 for emergency road and structure repairs to reopen all affected roads. 

County Highway Superintendent Don Chambers said the work to repair many roads and structural projects like culvert replacement are still underway, with crews having begun the work just hours after the storm subsided Aug. 9. 

“It’s going to likely be into the several million dollars to complete repairs even though we have, for example, some bridges that have already been replaced or had extensive repairs,” he said. 

Chambers said the $650,000 the resolution approved spending is just for emergency repairs to ensure “roads are safe to the traveling public.” 

He said some structures, like culverts, would require improvements to a standard set by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) following an assessment after the storm. 

Chambers said larger culverts and significant road repairs were needed around the county but said it was his hope the state and federal government would help financially. 

“Hopefully what we’ll see is some help from the state and federal government to address these final needs, but I just wanted to be clear this is for getting the emergency repairs done,” he said. 

Chambers said the county and other area counties like Lewis County suffered enough damage to meet the threshold for the state to apply for emergency aid through FEMA. 

Despite that, Chambers said he was unsure if the county would be made whole for all repairs or just the emergency repairs through FEMA. 

He said in 10 years as a superintendent downstate he experienced four large scale storms such as the Aug. 9 storm, with FEMA only offering emergency aid in some cases. Chambers said the cost for permanent repairs fell to the county and municipalities in those cases. 

But Legislator Jim Reagan said it would be wise to speak with federal representatives to ensure the county's needs are met. 

He said Senator Chuck Schumer, the top Senator, and Representative Elise Stefanik, the fourth ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, could play an instrumental role in securing funding through FEMA. 

“It’s not like we don’t have anyone to take our case to Washington to make the point that this was a very unusual occurrence,” he said. 

“It’s their job to assist when disaster strikes.” 

Reagan said he was not speaking ill of FEMA but rather commented that it would only be beneficial to keep informed those who appropriate funding to federal agencies. 

“I’m not questioning or speaking ill of FEMA, but sometimes it helps to make sure the people who provide the funding to the agency, in this case our federal reps, are aware of what’s happening and whether they are following the mandate they expect. I don’t think it’s an unreasonable request that they offer us help for a very unusual event,” he said. 

Chambers said he was confident Governor Kathy Hochul would submit the request for aid to the federal government, but suggested legislators first begin working with the county’s state representatives to get the ball rolling. 

“It will have to start with the state reps, that’s where we’re at,” he said. 

Chambers also took a few moments to thank the County Highway Department, state Department of Transportation, local municipalities and material suppliers who offered immediate assistance following the storm. 

“The staff was basically on for hours upon hours,” Chambers said. 

He commented that the state DOT and Jefferson County also offered pipes, materials and equipment to aid in the efforts. 

“It was a seamless process with all municipalities, the DOT and everyone else helping,” Chambers said. 

Not long after the flood waters subsided, Chambers said state Emergency Management personnel were on the ground to assess the damage. 

“We went out personally to show them the damaged areas. That will all go to FEMA now,” he said. 

Chambers said he does not expect to hear from FEMA until October but noted that a virtual meeting would at least be held at that time. 

Despite the emergency repair work that needs to be completed, Chambers said all projects slated by the department are still on pace to be completed this year. 

“We were four weeks ahead of schedule at the time of the storm. We’re working with the towns to figure it out now,” he said. 

Chambers said some towns were previously on the list to receive help with paving from the county, however a lack of resources now means the municipalities will be on their own to complete the work. 

He also commented that many municipalities are feeling the crunch and have cut back on paving in general, let alone with assistance from the county. 

“Some towns have already pulled back on their requests for help. But, all projects we scheduled for this year will be complete and we will get our CHIPS reimbursement. I’m confident of that,” Chambers said. 

Chairman of the Legislature David Forsythe took a moment to thank Chambers and his crews. He said Legislator Rick Perkins had reached out to him to ask what legislators could do to help. 

“When this all happened I was trying to think of some way to help. I thought ‘Jeez, I can run a skid steer, I can do something.’ I thought about it over that weekend and it came to me, keep hiring good people to be department heads and put them in the right position based on their qualifications. And you have proven it time and time again.

“Thank you. Again, I couldn’t do it without the team,” Chambers said.