News from Our Neighbors

NYS BATTLES FLOODS

On Tuesday, Governor Cuomo activated the NYS Flood Helpline to aid residents affected by widespread flooding across areas of New York State.  New Yorkers can call the helpline for assistance, including important local contact information for the Red Cross and Salvation Army, health and safety tips, where to go to receive a tetanus shot, what to do in case of an oil spill or power outage, mental health assistance, and for other recovery needs as well.   Life threatening emergencies should be reserved for 911.

NYS Flood Helpline: 1-888-769-7243

Heavy rainfall continued earlier in the week and the National Weather Service (NWS) issued flash flood watches for several counties. There are hundreds of roads closed in the Mohawk Valley and Northeast regions associated with the flooding. A Flood Warning for the Mohawk River at Utica is in effect until further notice. A number of other rivers are near flood stage. 

On Monday Governor Cuomo formally requested that President Obama issue a major disaster declaration for the State of New York as a result of severe storms and major flooding. On Friday, June 28, 2013, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued a State disaster declaration, which was still in effect Monday afternoon, for the following counties: Chenango, Essex, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Schoharie and Warren.

 In the City of Oneida, 290 people were evacuated. Crews were in the process of removing floodwaters and making sure homes were structurally sound. In Herkimer and Montgomery Counties, several hundred residents were displaced, but less than 20 people in each county were reported to be staying in Red Cross shelters Sunday night. The floods have also left thousands without power and more under boil water advisories.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER VISITORS’ CENTER OPEN FOR THE SEASON

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation announced that the Dwight D. Eisenhower Visitors’ Center, located at the U. S. Eisenhower Lock, opened on Friday, June 28, and will remain open daily, including weekends, through Labor Day, September 2, 2013. The Visitors’ Center hours of operation are from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and it is free to the public.

Due to security measures, visitors will be asked to leave all packages, bags, backpacks etc. in their vehicles. For those necessary items that need to be carried into the viewing area, you may be asked to present them for inspection or have them checked by a metal detecting wand. This will be conducted at a manned checkpoint as you enter the Visitors’ Center area from the parking lot. The Center may periodically close to visitors at the discretion of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. The top deck is open to the public.

For up-to-date information on estimated vessel transit times, call (315) 769-2422 for a voice recording of that day’s projected lockage schedule. Additional information is on the website at http://www.greatlakes-seaway.com/en/navigating/map/index.html.

GROUNDBREAKING AT ALCOA EAST ALUMINUM FACILITY IN MASSENA

The groundbreaking at the Alcoa East Aluminum facility in Massena took place on July 1st. The modernization and upgrade of the facility, together with $10 million for a North Country Economic Development Loan Fund (NCEDF), were made possible under an agreement between Alcoa and New York State. The state’s commitment to supply 478 megawatts of low-cost electricity led to the company’s investment and modernization plans and commitment to the long-term retention of nearly 1,000 jobs. Alcoa is the largest private employer north of Syracuse.

The North Country Economic Development Fund is one element of the long-term NYPA-Alcoa hydropower contract, which extends to 2045, and if certain conditions are met, Alcoa may exercise an option to extend service for 10 years beyond 2045.

 Under the contract, which was entered into in 2009, Alcoa committed to protect nearly a thousand jobs at its Massena facilities and undertake capital investments of at least $600 million, of which $42 million is currently being spent on site preparation for a new aluminum production potline at the Massena East plant.

 Alcoa was NYPA’s first customer, having signed its original power supply contract in 1955, more than three years prior to the operation of the St. Lawrence-FDR plant—NYPA’s first generating facility. The electricity supplied to the company’s Massena smelters accounts for approximately 60 percent of the generating facility’s total output.