STEUBEN COUNTY, N.Y. (WENY) -- Since August, fixing roads, infrastructure, and clearing waterways have been the key focus in Steuben County's flood recovery efforts. Just over four months later, officials are providing an update and sharing how response efforts have improved.

After Tropical Storm Fred hit the region in 2021 and Debby followed three years later in 2024, residents of Steuben County have faced unimaginable losses and destruction.

Steuben County's Departments of Public Works and Emergency Services have been working tirelessly since August to help individuals. Officials say there is still plenty of work to be done, however.

Additionally, they have been doing the heavy lifting to take preventative measures to reduce future damage. Since that fateful day on August 9, several community members recalled the 2021 floods and are wondering what exactly is being done differently this time.

"But as far as DEC and us working locally and with the folks that were affected locally, it's been great -- in comparison from what I understand the last time, it's been a big difference," said Commissioner Eric Rose of the Steuben County Department of Public Works. "Big difference in response and getting these permits out and allowing us to do what we need to do in these waterways. Again, still a lot of work that needs to be done at a bigger scale."

At this point, Public Works has restored and reconstructed several spots in the county. In a prepared statement, the agency detailed those locations as follows.

"The DPW's efforts have focused on the most heavily impacted areas, where the damage was the worst. Notable undertakings include:

  • CR14 Restoration: One of the most difficult sections to repair, this stretch from the CR119 to CR69 intersection had major debris and gravel blockages near the culvert at CR119. Crews worked tirelessly to clear the channel, re-establish shoulders and embankments, and replace damaged guiderails and road surface. The narrow creek channel and solid shale creek bed made repairs particularly challenging.
  • CR31 Reconstruction: Four major sections of CR31 were undermined by floodwaters, rendering the road impassable. DPW crews brought in large equipment, including off-road dump trucks, and replaced the damaged subsurface with gravel, reopening the road to traffic. Repairs included cleaning the creek channel, re-establishing slopes, and replacing or restacking large stone fills to prevent future erosion.
  • CR119 Bridge Debris Removal: A particularly unique and dangerous situation occurred at the CR119 bridge, where floodwaters brought with them a half-split house along with trees and other debris. The debris created a significant blockage at the bridge inlet. To avoid catastrophic damage, DPW coordinated with a contractor skilled in demolition and debris removal. Together, they safely removed the debris, saving the bridge and preventing further damage.
  • Town of Woodhull: Significant damage impacted bridges and pavement on County Route 129. County crews removed debris and gravel, improved retaining walls and rip rap placements, re-shaped stream channels, fixed guiderails, and replaced damaged pavement. Gravel and silt deposits were removed from the Fireman’s Field with a bulldozer. Several culvert pipes were also either cleaned out or replaced on County Route 129. On Harder Road, the bridge approach was re-established, debris was removed, and additional scour protection rock was placed around the abutments. A bulldozer was also used to clean the stream channel in this location."

Commissioner Rose shared that the department has now been ordered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to discontinue its work in the waterways. This is due to the time of year and Public Works needing to prepare for ice and snow. Also, Public Works and the Steuben County Soil & Water Conservation District have collaborated on the waterways and need the proper permits to operate in certain areas and on particular bodies of water.

"You may not have four inches in four minutes of rain, but we have stuff that's already on the ground and already established that could become a threat," said Rose. "So we need to be mindful of that. But the biggest thing is being able to have the ability when we see something, to be able to do something about it in a timely fashion. That's the key. That's the key, and that takes more than just the county to get to that point."

On an individual level, Steuben County Emergency Services has reworked its response efforts over the last few years too. While the agency doesn't necessarily have a hand in repairing infrastructure, it aided Public Works and has aimed to help flood victims receive assistance and help with their personal and business damages.

"We're here and we are continually working to, you know, redefine the process that we use to better serve people in their time of need," said Ken Forenz, the deputy director of Steuben County EMS. "I think one of the biggest highlights of that has been through our COAD, our Community Organizations Active in Disasters, and how we respond specifically to the human needs of people right after the disaster in a timely manner."

Moving forward, Rose says more restoration and recovery work will need to be done and the county is pushing to get the necessary permits to make that happen.

He added that the department is grateful for local and state help they have already received and continue to receive as efforts move forward. They are working to prevent the public from having to deal with damages like this any time soon.