Plattsburgh, NY, May 13, 2011 — Now that the flood waters across much of the North Country have receded, the hundreds of property owners whose homes and businesses sustained damage are wondering how they're going to pay for repairs.

Many people impacted by the flooding didn't have flood insurance, which leaves them with few other options unless federal disaster aid becomes available. Chris Knight reports.  Go to full article

May 11, 2011 — The National Weather Service downgraded its flood warning to a "watch" along the Raquette River in St. Lawrence County. But the more severe warning stands in the Champlain Valley. Tupper Lake town and village officials have lifted the state of emergency there. Saranac Lake officials say they can now draw the swollen lakes outflow down about an inch a day.

As the waters recede, communities are getting closer looks at flood damages, with the help of federal emergency management teams.

Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Grand Isle, VT, May 10, 2011 — Along Lake Champlain, the rain-free few days doesn't mean the flooding, or the emergency, is over. The national weather service says it could be two to three weeks before the lake drops and the flooding recedes. And it's going to be longer than that before counties and communities know how much it's going to cost to fix the damage to roads, bridges and utility systems.

The process of seeking federal aid for the disaster has begun. Congressman Bill Owens was in Plattsburgh yesterday surveying the damage. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Tupper Lake, NY, May 06, 2011 — Flooding in parts of the North Country is expected to get worse before it gets better.

And even though water levels continue to fluctuate, state and local officials are trying to get a handle on how much damage has occurred so far.

In Saranac Lake two bridges that have been closed for more than a week were reopened early this morning. Village Manager John Sweeney says water levels dropped by about three inches overnight. Sweeney says county inspectors found no problems with any of the bridges in the village yesterday.

Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Administration - or FEMA - were in Saranac Lake Thursday as well. Sweeney says they were focused on evaluating the state of public infrastructure, and may begin looking at some private properties today.

Meanwhile, state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens toured flood ravaged neighborhoods in Tupper Lake.

Chris Morris was there and has this report...  Go to full article

Bloomingdale, NY, May 05, 2011 — Writer and naturalist Ed Kanze has been watching the swollen Saranac River wind closer and closer to his home near Bloomingdale. And he's watching for how the high water and sodden soils are affecting the wildlife he knows so well.

When Martha Foley called yesterday afternoon, the Kanze household was not quite surrounded by water...but close. Their road, the Moose Pond Road, has been under several feet of water since last week.

Neighbors have come together to lend each other a hand where needed, says Kanze. And he said they can't "fuss" too much since their house is high and dry on a knoll.

The water had gone down a little over the weekend, but yesterday the water was rising again.  Go to full article

Rouses Point, NY, May 05, 2011 — Many parts of the North Country were hit by more than two inches of rain yesterday. Onchiota in the Saranac River valley received the biggest dump -- with just over 2.5 inches.

For the first time ever, rain-swollen rivers pushed Lake Champlain to 103.1 feet, the highest level ever recorded, and the water is still rising.

Flooding in Lake Champlain's South Bay near Whitehall forced Amtrak to suspend train service between Albany and Montreal yesterday.

Amtrak spokesman Cliff Cole said train passengers were being taken by bus from Albany to Montreal.

Regular train service is expected to resume later today.

The National Weather Service is predicting stiff west winds this afternoon that could push 3-foot high waves against the shoreline.

Roads and homes along the coast of Lake Champlain have already seen millions of dollars in damage over the last week.

On Thursday, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin told the Burlington Free Press that he expected "more bad news to come" for communities along the Lake Champlain shoreline.

Vermont transportation workers were working yesterday to shore up US Highway 2, which leads to the Champlain Islands and to the ferry crossing to New York.  Go to full article

May 05, 2011 — In the days since the flood began, researchers have been tracking huge plumes of sediment and phosphorous pollution being washed into Lake Champlain.

Aerial photographs taken by the Lake Champlain Basin Program show big swirls of brown and green, especially at the mouths of rivers.

When the weather finally warms up all that pollution could trigger algae blooms and other problems.

Brian Mann spoke with Bill Howland who heads the Lake Champlain Basin Program and who took part in the reconnaissance flights this week.  Go to full article

May 04, 2011 — Emergency officials in Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake will be keeping a close watch on the water levels in their flood-swollen lakes and rivers again today.

Although conditions had stabilized in recent days, heavy rain moved through the Adirondacks Tuesday and more is in the forecast today, giving rise to fears that the local waterways could rise again.

Meanwhile, initial assessments have been compiled of some of the damage caused by the flooding over the past week in Franklin County. Chris Knight reports.  Go to full article

May 04, 2011 — The flooding crisis across northern New York and Vermont began more than a week ago and as we've been hearing there's still no end in sight.

State and local officials say their crews are weary and stretched thin as they continue to deal with evacuations, closed roads, and swamped sewer and water systems.

But they also say that this disaster has brought unprecedented levels of cooperation and coordination, with personnel shuttling between the hardest hit areas.

Brian Mann has that story this morning.  Go to full article

Colton, NY, May 04, 2011 — Brookfield Renewable Power says it's steadily releasing water down the Raquette River to make room for the latest rainfall. In a press release, the company says it'll be several days before an "appreciable decline" in water levels is seen. In the town of Colton, the river's receded several inches over the last few days. But that's likely to change due to last night and today's heavy rain. Meanwhile, some residents are pointing fingers at the company that operates the Raquette's many dams. David Sommerstein was in Colton yesterday and has this report.  Go to full article