Thousands remain in shelters in Southern Tier
A sports utility vehicle sits in the flooded intersection of Oak Street and Gaines Street in Binghamton. (Sept. 9, 2011) Credit: AP
Some residents are being allowed to return home but thousands of others remain under evacuation orders in the Southern Tier, where Tropical Storm Lee swelled the Susquehanna River to record levels.
Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan said Sunday that state code inspectors are inspecting homes and businesses to assess damage and determine whether the structures are safe. People who have been given the go-ahead to return home are dragging out sodden furniture, carpets, and wallboard, creating mountains of debris.
About 4,000 people spent Saturday night in shelters but fewer were expected Sunday night. About 20,000 people in the area were evacuated ahead of Thursday's rains.
The regional sewage treatment plant has been offline since the river flooded, but Ryan said workers are pumping it out so it can be restarted.
Concerns for more dangerous chemicals at LI park ... Opening arguments for crash that killed former News 12 reporter ... Early voting ... Out East: 'Grape' time of year
Concerns for more dangerous chemicals at LI park ... Opening arguments for crash that killed former News 12 reporter ... Early voting ... Out East: 'Grape' time of year
