Southern Tier Communities To Enhance Flood Defenses With New Funding

On July 10th, $21 million was allocated to support flood protection projects in the Southern Tier, according to an announcement by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul.

Four New York Southern Tier communities, including Binghamton, Whitney Point, Olean, and Elmira, will benefit from projects that will address stormwater management and resilient infrastructure projects.

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These projects are designed to safeguard residents from extreme weather and the costly expenses of rebuilding after a flood, according to Governor Hochul's announcement.

As we face more and more devastating extreme storms, we must do everything we can to ensure our communities are resilient, sustainable, and ready. We saw the flooding in Binghamton almost 15 years ago, and we don’t want to see it again. These projects help us get ahead of the storm damage, save taxpayers millions of dollars in the long run, and prevent post-flood recovery costs for homeowners and businesses alike.” - New York State Governor Kathy Hochul

 

Projects Slated For New York's Southern Tier

In the City of Binghamton, the NYS DEC is making improvements to the Binghamton Flood Control Project located along the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers. This includes rehabilitation of the floodwalls with replacement of two floodwall panels, replacing deteriorated concrete, and application of a protective coating on the floodwalls. 

In Whitney Point, improvements from the NYS DEC include upgrades to the Whitney Point Flood Control Project on the Tioughnioga River, including the manual gate system and installing a new swing gate closure structure to more efficiently and effectively close the existing stoplog railroad closure.

Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership and historic investments, New York State is making important progress to protect communities and infrastructure from the devastating impacts of flooding. By supporting DEC’s repairs and upgrades in Binghamton, Elmira, Olean, and Whitney Point with the record funding from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, the Governor is advancing key projects in communities that are susceptible to flooding, helping provide residents the support they need to avoid potential costly repairs if flooding occurs. - NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton

For more information, visit New York State Governor Kathy Hochul's website.