Cleanup continues on Long Island after historic flooding
STONY BROOK, N.Y. -- Suffolk County is continuing to assess and clean up the damage from the powerful storm that pummeled the region Sunday.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine declared a state of emergency following the storm, which wrecked numerous roads, damaged homes, and rail lines.
Officials said they've had more than 1,000 property damage reports so far, and that doesn't count the major infrastructure that crumbled under the pressure of so much rain, including two antiquated dams that broke draining beloved ponds.
Mill Pond and Stump Pond dams destroyed
For the Borgese family, it was earth shattering, literally. They were in bed when the 115-year-old Mill Pond dam broke, sending water cascading on to Harbor Road, adjacent to the home they just moved into. They escaped moments before half the house broke off and floated away.
"I said, 'Let's get out of here,' and it's kind of divine intervention. Maybe if we didn't leave we would be down a few hundred yards that way," owner Ronnie Borgese said.
Just weeks ago, he was married in the backyard, which is now gone.
Borgese said he's "very worried" about rebuilding and if it will be covered.
A spokesman for Gov. Kathy Hochul said her office is compiling data from all of the damage so it can move the disaster declaration to release FEMA dollars.
Meanwhile, there is a question as to what will become of Mill Pond. Brookhaven officials say its a spring-fed pond that will naturally replenish when the dam is rebuilt. That will take millions of dollars and evaluations, which are underway.
"I had my wedding pictures taken here, and now, there is no water. I'm speechless," Centereach resident Steve Schwab said.
"It's very sad. I'm concerned about the wildlife. I'm concerned about people's property," a woman added.
In addition, a historic 60-foot long concrete dam at Blydenberg Park broke, draining Stump Pond, a beloved 100-acre lake filled with fish and wildlife. On Tuesday, the bottom of Stump Pond was visible -- stumps that had been submerged for 200 years. Almost all of the pond's water was sent cascading into streets and the Nissequogue River.
"I'm devastated. I walked over there and just looked out and I cried a little bit," one person said.
"An ecological, environmental and economic disaster"
Romaine said damage estimates are climbing.
"What we've seen in the last day is an ecological, environmental and economic disaster," Romaine said.
The damage is widespread, stretching from Rocky Point, where cars were stuck in flooded roads, to Port Jefferson, where the fire department still made rescues despite being flooded itself.
Amid the historic rainfall, there was also the loss of some history. The basement of the Smithtown Library, which is filled with historical archives dating back centuries, was flooded up to the ceiling.
"From the 1600s. We are praying they will be able to restore them," state Sen. Mario Mattera said.
Homeowners say they owe their lives to fire department
Two senior citizens told CBS News New York's Vanessa Murdock they owe their lives to the Rocky Point Fire Department. Before daybreak Monday morning, after nearly 10 inches of rain fell, floodwater rose above their front door to the windowsills, and they had no way out. Their car was completely submerged.
"We were trying to find an escape route, but there was none," Yvonne Montesanto said.
Montesanto said volunteers made it possible for them to escape through the backyard wearing life vests and holding onto a rope.
"The Rocky Point Fire Department, I can't thank them," she said.
Her neighbors Kathleen and Perry Gallop said water as high as their house number devastated their first floor. Family albums and handcrafted Christmas ornaments were soaked in more than just water, as was a sentimental 1984 Corvette.
All homeowners said thankfully they have big families who will help them continue the cleanup.
Animals rescued from Long Island veterinary center
Dr. Matthew Steinberg, owner of Commack Veterinary Center, rescued a tortoise and four cats from his flooded building.
Tuesday morning, he laid eyes on the aftermath: sterile spaces covered in muck and $100,000 of equipment short-circuited. Co-owner Kimberly Berliner had watched the water take over on surveillance video.
"Everything that we had built ... it's our second home, it was just devastating," she said.
They opened their doors less than two years ago, and final finishing touches wrapped just weeks ago.
"Just gone in like an hour's time," Berliner said.
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