1pm: The latest from Rob Stanley:
The water has receded. We'll continue our command post here in Phoenicia at least through Friday. We're looking at at least two storms coming through on Friday.
For anybody that may have been inundated by floodwater in the basement, and the mud is laden with hazardous materials, septic, fuel or gasoline, I have a number for you to call: DEC Spill Hotline: 1-800-457-7362.
Being that we are declared a federal disaster area if the fuel did not emanate from your property, the state will make arrangements. But make sure you highlight if it's not from your property.
The Gilboa Dam isn't breaking. Phoenicia water is safe to drink.
9:15am: Just spoke with Rob Stanley again. He reports that the bridge at Mount Tremper and Rte. 28 are OPEN, not closed, contrary to what we had heard earlier this morning. He also says that Oliverea Road is beginning to wash away at the landslide trouble spot:
The Mount Tremper Bridge is fine. Rte. 28 is open.
The river was at 14.1 feet at 7:30. That's where the river got to. At 9am, it's down to 13.77 feet right now. It looks like we should be maintaining that level for the rest of they day if the rains don't pick up. We're just looking at the rate. It's going down very slowly. It could increase again.
We're losing Oliverea Road, right now as we speak. All the work that we did. Runoff by the landslide on Puckie Huddle. McKinley Hollow.
8:40: Aaron Bennett reports that the Shandaken Command Center reports that Mount Tremper Bridge is closed on Rte. 28.
8:10am: Aaron Bennett reports that portions of washed out Oliverea Road are washing out again this morning on our Live Blog:
Just drive to drive up County Rte 47 to get to Oliverea - previously-washed away section (by the slide) is washing away again with water over-topping the road - didn't want to risk getting stuck. car turned around in the other direction as well.
7am, 7/7/11:
I just spoke with Rob Stanley, the Shandaken town supervisor, who says that the dike has eroded at 212 and Rte. 28 in Mount Tremper and that residents of low-lying areas in Phoenicia, Mount Tremper, Fox Hollow, Silver Hollow, and Oliverea Road are being asked to go to Belleayre Ski Center for temporary shelter.
Here's the transcript of my conversation with Rob Stanley:
We're above flood stage right now. The water lever is at 13.5 at Cold Brook. We already have reports of flooding in 212. The dike has eroded at the intersection of 212 and 28. That's Mount Tremper.
We're advising people to go up to Belleayre as soon as they can. We want them to be alert.
Onteora Schools are closed.
People in the following areas should consider going to the relief center at Belleayre now:
Plank Road. We have a downed wire on 28 by the plaza.
High Street in Phoenicia. Jay Street in Phoenicia.
Oliverea Road. The road in Oliverea is safe for driving, and most of the residents have power. Our concern is the small hollow roads with temporary repairs.
Fox Hollow, Silver Hollow.
Any resident in a low-lying area near a stream is advised to relocate to Belleayre for temporary shelter. It is not a mandatory evacuation. Completely voluntary.
We're hoping it will lighten up within the next hour of two. Again, know that it's about 15-16 feet were the Stony Clove and the Esopus begin to breach their banks into Main Street Phoenicia. We don't anticipate that happening. But residents in places that have already flooded are advised to move to Bellayre.
Know that there are trees about to fall into the stream. Those trees could create diversions, and they already have weakened the stream channels.
6:30am: Hold onto your hats.
We just checked in with Tom Rinaldo in Phoenicia, who reports that sirens started going off around 6am this morning in the village. He spoke with Highway Superintendent Eric Hofmeister, who says that low-lying areas of Phoenicia, such as Jay Street and High Street, are being evacuated out of precaution. The Stony Clove it still in its banks now, as of 6:30am.
Hofmeister said that he had been to Silver Hollow and it appears to be OK, but that there is trouble on the flood-ravaged Oliverea Road.
7:15am correction: Power is back on in Oliverea Road, according to Stanley this morning. Apologies for the error.
