Officials warn of lengthy cleanup process
Director of emergency services leads operations
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

A utility pole hangs by a thread over Orchard Street between Eagle and Swan, making it impassible on Sunday, Oct. 15.

There has never been a reported storm like it to hit Amherst. Never has that much snow been recorded in October. Never have so many trees been damaged. And never has a power outage impacted so many residents.

The snow started to fall Thursday, Oct. 12 in the afternoon and almost a week later the devastation remains, as thousands are still living without power.

Jim Zymanek, director of emergency services for the Town of Amherst, said cleanup efforts continue in the town, but the fall snowstorm has made flooding a major concern.

As the close to 2 feet of snow melted into the creeks, water rose to the brink, carrying tons of leaves and branches and causing blockages in various places.

Zymanek said the debris was causing backups in the creeks throughout the town, but especially along Ellicott Creek. The town, Village of Williamsville and Erie County highway departments responded to clear out the sites.

"Flooding hasn't been significant from the creeks," Zymanek said, adding, however, that the rain from Tuesday and forecasted for the rest of the week could put the water level over the edge.

He said a lot of flooding has been reported in basements, with about 100 calls logged as of the beginning of the week. Also, sanitary sewer systems were beginning to back up as power had been lost to the lift stations.

On Sunday, Amherst Supervisor Satish Mohan surveyed the land from a helicopter, focusing on the streams threatening to flood.

"We have received a lot of calls about flooded basements," Mohan said. "About 90 percent of the town lost power and without power, the pumps don't work. Most of those basements flooded." He added that from viewing the land, he could see that streams were swelling and just on the brim of the banks.

Residents with flooded basements should call the Town of Amherst Engineering Department at 631-7157 or 631-7154 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for assistance.

On Monday, members of the National Guard were traveling from Binghamton to Amherst where Tuesday they were scheduled to start a task force for cleaning the streets. Zymanek said the Guard had decided the Town of Amherst was a priority and was planning a blitz to clean as many of the streets as possible.

Residents can aid in the cleanup by placing debris from their yards at the curb, making sure there are no downed wires on the property. They are also reminded to keep fire hydrants clear of debris.

Those who are able can drop off branches at the town's compost facility at 560 Smith Road through Monday, Oct. 23.

Cleanup efforts began on Oct. 12 as the first trees began to fall. Highway Superintendent Bob Anderson said his department worked 24-hour days from Thursday through Saturday night, switching to 12-hour shifts from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. because of the downed wires. He said it was unsafe to have his crew working in the dark, unable to detect the wires.

Anderson said residents can assist in the cleanup by piling branches from their home at the curb, making sure not to leave any debris in the roadway. Anderson also emphasized that as residents clear out property damaged by flooded basements they must separate their debris - branches in one pile and household items in another. The Refuse Department will be picking up flood-damaged items, he said. Items not separated will not be picked up.

"The residents have been great, and we are going to have to be patient - this is not going to be a one-week job," Anderson said.

On Tuesday, 98 percent of the streets were reported clear, and focus continues on getting the debris off properties. Anderson said he was concerned that if snowfall were to occur, plowing would be a problem with so much debris in the town.

"I am very proud of the Highway Department; they were able to clear the road in two days," Mohan said, adding that as early as Monday, 90 percent of the roads were cleared.

Mohan said he is estimating the debris from damaged trees equates to 2 million cubic feet. At $15 per yard for cleanup, he is estimating the storm will cost the Town of Amherst $30 million in debris pick up.

"I am hoping that before Christmas we can have all the debris cleared," Mohan said, adding that the branches will be ground, burned or stored. "It is a mammoth job to clear all the brush."

Mohan said from his assessment, Snyder and Eggertsville, with old, large trees, were the hardest hit areas in the town in regard to debris.

Of the $5 million supplied by FEMA to the four affected counties, Mohan said he hopes the town receives a fair amount, based on the population.

"The FEMA funding of $5 million for four counties is just a drop in the ocean, I would say," said Mohan, who plans to continue efforts to secure more fudning.

It is estimated that the Town of Amherst is spending approximately $60,000-$75,000 a day in response to the storm, which includes overtime pay. Final numbers are still to be compiled.

In the Village of Williamsville Mayor Mary Lowther said the towns of Lewiston, Niagara and Porter have sent work crews and equipment to assist in brush and tree removal.

"Work crews are working to clean main roads first in a north and south pattern. Up next will be Evans Street, then Faber Lane due to the ongoing water line improvement project," Lowther said, adding that more than 100 individual power, phone and cable wires fell into the streets.

Garbage pickup resumed on Wednesday for the entire village.

Residents can obtain information from the public bulletin board in front of Village Hall. Lowther advised residents to continue to check on neighbors and pile brush at the curb without placing it in the streets.