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Storm Update as of 4:30pm (9/10/11)

Broome County

Emergency Operations Center
 

 

Storm Update-4:30pm(9/10/11)

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General Updates & Clarifications
·         Important information on re-entry for displaced residents. If you had to be evacuated and your home was impacted by water you should NOT return unless you have been cleared to return by your own local municipal officials. There are general re-entry procedures in place, HOWEVER, each municipality is handling its own residents and how and when they will be allowed back into their homes. 
·         Just because the water is gone there are still many dangers lurking in the homes and businesses. Code enforcement officers, along with electricians need to check the structures first before residents can be allowed to return. As we receive local re-entry information (contact numbers and procedures) it will be passed along.
Important updated boil water advisories
as of Saturday afternoon, September 10th.
 
·         (new as of this morning) A boil water advisory has been issued for District #5 in Vestal. District #5 includes the following streets: The following is the list of streets in Vestal Water District #5 that are subject to the boil water order:


  • Ross Hill Road
  • Tracy Creek Road
  • Norris Avenue
  • Arlington Avenue
  • Westland Road
  • Eastland Road
  • Midland Drive
  • Clifford Boulevard
  • Culver Parkway
  • Avalon Drive
  • Arbor Place
  • Parkview Avenue
  • Vestal Parkway West from Owego Road to Tioga County line
  • Owego Road to just east of Chucksters


 
 
    • Boil water advisories also remain in effect for the following areas of the Town of Union; West Corners area, Day Hollow Road, Betty Street, Rodman Road, Flora Street and the Boswell Hill Road area. 
    • This boil water advisory does NOT include other Village of Endicott water customers. It also does NOT include Town of Union residents again unless they live in the impacted areas listed above.
    • City of Binghamton water residents must continue to boil their municipal drinking water.
    • Residents of the Town of Binghamton also must boil their water.
    • Village of Johnson City water customers must continue to boil their water. This order includes residents in Choconut Center.
    • And boil water advisory for Village of Windsor remains in effect as well.
    • Town of Dickinson residents should boil their water.
    • Residents in the Northgate area of the Town of Chenango should also continue to boil their water. This boil water advisory specifically includes the Front Street corridor (both sides of the street) from Forest Hills Boulevard to the Chenango Town Hall. 
 
·         Again, anyone under a boil water advisory SHOULD NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water certified for sale by the New York State Department of Health. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills most bacteria and other organisms in the water.
 
·         Residents throughout Broome County are still being implored to conserve water. Flooding has certainly impacted water supplies and until this situation is stabilized residents need to conserve water consumption.  Some communities are working with struggling water systems and anything residents can do to help by conserving water would help tremendously. In fact, County Executive Brennan’s emergency water conservation order remains in effect for all users of public water systems in the Town of Union. This includes the Villages of Endicott and Johnson City.
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Debris Removal
Local municipal officials, county officials and our state partners are working on a debris removal strategy for all areas impacted by flooding. Residents and businesses should keep in mind to separate their garbage at the curb. This means regular household garbage should be kept separate on the curb from flood damaged items. These items should also not include ANY hazardous materials. Hazardous materials should be placed in a plastic garbage bag and identified as “hazardous waste” before it is put out on the curb.
 
More Garbage: Storage, Collection and Disposal Information
 
·         As you start cleaning, you will likely produce a great deal of garbage. Local authorities will tell you where and when collection will occur. Garbage invites insects and rodents. Rodents, in particular, may be looking for food because the flood may have destroyed their homes and normal food source.
·         Store any garbage in watertight, rodent/insect-proof containers with tight-fitting covers. Use plastic liners if available.
·         Put garbage in a convenient location but not near your well.
·         Heavy rains and flooding can lead to an increase in mosquitoes that may be infected with West Nile virus. To protect against mosquitoes, remain diligent in your personal mosquito protection efforts. Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active. For many species, this is during the dusk and dawn hours.
o   Wear clothing that covers most of your skin.
o   Repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), picaridin or OLE (oil of lemon eucalyptus) are options. Use strictly according to label instructions. Do not allow children to apply repellents and avoid applying repellents to the hands of young children.
o   Check around your home to rid the area of standing water.
o   Eliminate other breeding sites—remove old tires and turn over or remove empty plastic containers.
 
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·         FEMA Individual Assistance has not been approved yet. This means there is no guarantee there will be federal assistance to residential flood victims. However, if and when IA or Individual Assistance is approved, FEMA says flood victims can PRE-register on line at FEMA.gov or by telephone at 1-800-621-3362. Again, we need to emphasize that this does not guarantee assistance. But if IA help is made available by the federal government via FEMA, individuals who pre-register will be already in the system.
  • NYSEG still reports nearly 4200 customers without power. Some of these were forced power outages of homes in the evacuation areas. Some outages were caused by the storm.
  • More than 18,000 calls have been recorded at the Broome County 911 center since the start of the storm.  
  • Broome County Executive Patrick Brennan’s modified executive orders remain in effect as part of Broome County’s State of Emergency. The entire State of Emergency document remains listed below but residents should know that the travel ban was lifted as of 2pm Friday, September 9th. There are still many roads impacted by water and debris but those roads should be barricaded and it should be clear to area drivers not to go around any barricades. Again the entire document appears later in this update.
  • Additionally, residents are being asked to please check the New York State Department of Transportation’s website at www.ny511.org .
  • There is still no BC Transit fixed route, BC Lift or BC Country service today through Sunday.  If you see BC Transit buses on the road today or this weekend, they are being used for emergency services purposes only. BC Transit service will be re-evaluated over the weekend.
  • In mandatory evacuation areas, electricity and gas were shut off and remain off. This was for safety purposes. Restoration will be addressed as areas become ready for re-occupancy.
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Shelters Still Available
(Mental health professionals available at each shelter)
Binghamton University Events Center (general needs shelter)
4400 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal
 
Binghamton West Gymnasium (special needs shelter only)
4400 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal
 
Johnson City High School-666 Reynolds Road, Johnson City (this shelter is also full)
Endwell Fire Station-3508 Country Club Road
Endwell, NY 13760
Port Crane Fire Department-844 Route 369
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Road Closure List- NYS DOT Update as of 9-10 -11 4:30pm
(attached please find separate road update document in same email as this update)
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Conserve Water Request Remains in Effect
As we mentioned at the beginning of this update, Broome County residents with municipal water supplies are being asked to conserve water.
In the event that any of the water filtration plants flood or become unusable for any reason, it will become extremely important to conserve the remaining clean water supply for heath care facilities and other necessities. Village of Endicott, City of Binghamton and Village of Johnson City ask residents to please take this request seriously and make every effort to conserve.
 
 
 
Updated State of Emergency and Executive Orders Documents
 
State of Emergency Remains in Effect
 
Broad travel restrictions lifted
(implemented 9-9-11)
 
There are still many roads closed in the City of Binghamton, the Village of Johnson City and elsewhere. Parts of the City’s south side and east side and parts of downtown.
On Wednesday, County Executive Brennan ordered no unnecessary travel in Broome County. That order was lifted as of 2pm on Friday, September 9th.
 
The following emergency orders are hereby established or renewed:
There is a prohibition of the use of waterways for recreational purposes.
 
There is a prohibition of travel on roads where the roadway is partially or completely covered with standing or moving water.
 
There is to be no entry into evacuation zones or on any premises that is evacuated without the express permission of emergency officials.
 
There is to be no entry onto or near any flood control structure. This includes earthen levees, concrete flood walls, concrete channels, creek beds, or other structures.
 
There is to be no entry creek channels, river channels, creek beds or river beds or other earthen or man made formation that contain running or standing water.
 
Many people think that a declaration of an emergency and a travel ban are one in the same. They are not. The state of emergency declaration is accompanied by specific orders which may include a general travel ban or not. Broome County will continue to be in a state of emergency for days, if not weeks. The state of emergency remains in effect until it is rescinded. The associated orders also remain in effect until they are revised or rescinded.
 
Parents are reminded to not allow children to play in floodwaters whether the water is moving or standing.
Residents are reminded that most evacuated areas remain off limits.
Houses that have flooded may be dangerous. Flooded roads and neighborhoods are dangerous and not ready for re-entry by residents. Emergency personnel are continuing search and rescue efforts.
Flooded roadways remain dangerous. Do not attempt to drive over a roadway that is partially or completely covered with standing or moving water.
 
Miscellaneous Updates and Cancellations
  • The Broome County animal response team, ASPCA, and Red Rover have established an emergency animal shelter behind warehouse #8 at the Hillcrest Depot, 1151 Hoyt Ave. The depot is located in Hillcrest off  Nowland Road. The shelter can accept cats, dogs and small mammals. Please call BCART at 347-537-9935 if you need other animal assistance. Donations the shelter cannot accept: used cages, carriers or pet food. Donations that are needed include: bleach, paper towels, cleaning products, blankets, bedding and unused toys. We have been told that the shelter can be accessed by Chenango St. to Knowland Road to Hoyt Road. Owners need to provide their contact information, bring crates, leashes, food and any medication the pet may need.
  • County officials are also imploring people to stay off flood walls and levees. This is a very dangerous situation and could potentially damage the wall or levee. Recreational water use is also still banned in the county. And people are being asked to stay out of standing water.
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NYSEG sponsored water and dry ice distribution points throughout the region
 

Apalachin
·         Apalachin Fire Department, 230 Pennsylvania Ave., Apalachin, NY(Available 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. or until supplies run out)
Bainbridge
·         Bainbridge Fire Department, 22 W. Main Street, Bainbridge NY
(Available until supplies run out)
Endicott
·         Campville Fire Department, 6153 State Route 17C, Endicott, NY
(Available Friday, September 9 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, September 10 and each day after from 10 a.m. till 10 p.m. or until supplies run out) 
·         Union Center Fire Department Station #1, 1811 Union Center Maine Highway (Route 26), Endicott, NY
(Available 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until supplies run out)
Gilbertsville
·         Gilbertsville Fire Department, 14 Marion Avenue, Gilbertsville, NY(Available until supplies run out)
Lisle
·         Lisle Fire Department, 1090 Main Street, Lisle, NY
(Available 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until supplies run out)
Maine
·         Maine Fire Department, 29 McGregor Ave, Maine NY
(Available 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until supplies run out)
Otego
·         Otego Fire Department, 5 River Street, Otego, NY
(Available until supplies run out)
Owego
·         Health and Human Services Building, 1062 Route 38, Owego, NY(Available at 6 p.m. until supplies run out)
·         Tioga County Sheriff's Department, 103 Corporate Drive
(off Route 38), Owego, NY
(Available 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until supplies run out)
Sidney
·         Sidney High School, 95 W Main Street, Sidney NY
(Available until supplies run out)
West Windsor                 
·         West Windsor Fire Department (exit 77 off 17), 9 Karla Drive,
West Windsor, NY
(Available 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. or until supplies run out)
 Windsor
·         Windsor Fire Department (exit 78 off 17), 4 Academy Street, 
Windsor, NY
(Bottled water only, available 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. or until supplies
run out

 
 
  • FEMA and Broome County Health officials are encouraging residents impacted by floodwaters to take special care before cleaning up. Important questions and answers for residents wanting to clean up can be found below. It can also be accessed at www.goBroomeCounty.com/eh .
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AFTER THE FLOOD-Broome County Health Department
 
·            Stay informed! Listen to the radio or TV or bulletins from NY-ALERT for instructions from local officials. And heed them.
·            Wait until an area has been declared safe before entering it. Be careful driving, since roads may be damaged and power lines may be down.
·            Before entering a building, check for structural damage. Turn off any outside gas lines at the meter or tank. Let the building air out to remove foul odors or escaping gas. Upon entering the building, use a battery-powered flashlight. Do not use an open flame as a source of light. Gas may be trapped inside.
·            When inspecting the building, wear rubber boots and gloves. Watch for electrical shorts and live wires before making certain the main power switch is off.
·            Do not turn on electrical appliances until an electrician has checked the system and appliances.
·            Throw out any medicine or food that has had contact with floodwaters. Test drinking water for potability. Wells should be pumped out and water tested for drinking.
·            If the public water system is declared “unsafe” by health officials, water for drinking and cooking should be boiled vigorously for 10 minutes.
 
Preventing Illness: Sanitation and Hygiene
·         Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected before eating and after toilet use, cleanup activities or handling items contaminated by floodwater or sewage.
·         Flood waters may contain fecal matter from sewage systems, agricultural and industrial waste and septic tanks. If you have open cuts or sores exposed to the floodwater, keep them as clean as possible by washing them with soap and disinfected or boiled water. Apply antibiotic ointment to reduce the risk of infection.
·         Do not allow children to play in floodwater or with toys that are contaminated by floodwater.
·         If floodwaters are covering your septic tank and leach field you should not use any flush toilets attached to the system.
 
Preventing Mold Growth
·         Moisture that enters buildings from leaks or flooding accelerates mold growth. Molds can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions and continue to damage materials after the storm.
·         Remove standing water from your home or office. Remove wet materials promptly and ventilate; use fans and dehumidifiers if possible.
·         If mold growth has already occurred, it is best to have a professional remove it.
·         Individuals with known mold allergies or asthma should never clean or remove mold.
·         Be careful about mixing household cleaners and disinfectants, as combining certain types of products can produce toxic fumes and result in injury or death.
 
Additional Household Cleanup
·         Walls, hard-surfaced floors and many other household surfaces should be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected with a solution of 1 cup of bleach to five gallons of water.
·         Thoroughly disinfect surfaces that come in contact with food and children’s play areas.
·         Wash all linens and clothing in hot water or dry-clean.
·         Items that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned, such as mattresses and upholstered furniture, must be air dried in the sun and sprayed thoroughly with a disinfectant.
·         Steam-clean all carpeting.
·         Replace fiberboard, insulation and disposable filters in your heating/cooling system.
·         Wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during clean-up.
·         It can be difficult to throw away items in a home, particularly those with sentimental value. However, keeping certain items soaked by sewage or floodwaters may be unhealthy. Materials that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried within 24-48 hours should be discarded.
 
 
 
 
JAIL VISITATION
 
The Broome County Sheriff’s Office has indicated that jail visitations will remain closed thru Monday, September 12th and will re-open on Tuesday, September 13th. 
 
 
 

Posted: 9/10/2011 5:41 pm

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