Severe Storm Rages Through St. Lawrence County: Roads and Bridges Vanish, House Collapses
In a swift and destructive turn of events, St. Lawrence County found itself in the writhing grasp of a severe storm that left the locale devastated on Friday. Matt Denner, director of the St. Lawrence County Emergency Services, delineated that a number of roads and bridges were “completely gone” following the disastrous storm and consequent flash flooding.
Middle of St. Lawrence County Bears the Brunt
Denner pointed out that the central region of the county bore the brunt of the storm, which led to sizable road closures. A travel ban was swiftly put into effect across the county due to the precarious situation. He said, “After the storm, it looked almost as if a number of our roads and bridges have simply vanished. Safety is our utmost priority, and citizens are requested to refrain from travelling unless absolutely necessary.”
A House Collapses, Numerous Rescues Underway
The gargantuan strength of the storm resulted in the collapse of a house, witnessing an entire family and a dog being stranded on the roof of their submerged car. Trapped and bereft of any immediate help, it was the tireless rescue operations underway that catered to bringing them to safety.
That was however, just one of the many instances. Reports indicated two houses were completely swept away on West Cotter Road, Brasher Falls, with five individuals initially deemed missing. In the light of this grim circumstance, emergency personnel resorted to boats in a bid to evacuate the rest of the people in the West Cotter Road neighborhood.
An Emergency Shelter and Aid Operation in Place
In a bid to provide immediate relief and shelter, an emergency shelter was set up. Denner reiterated that anyone seeking help could call 911 or the emergency operations center at 315-229-3950. He said, “We are doing everything in our power to help our citizens. Our team has been working tirelessly to make sure everyone is safe, and we won’t rest until everything is under control.”
Extent of Damage and Recovery Ahead
The storm has left behind a landscape scarred and battered. Over 100 roads and bridges across the county are reported to have been closed. With a death toll not yet ascertained, numerous rescue operations are happening round the clock, with the derailed city showing immense grit in its endeavor to restore normalcy.
As the city braces for the long haul, recovery will be painstaking but not impossible. The local administration, state authorities, and the brave residents of St. Lawrence County are rallying together in these difficult times, with a hope to rise from the rubble stronger and more resilient than ever.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the planetary crisis we are facing, underlining a dire need for us to come together to battle climate change and its devastating consequences. As the count of such drastic weather occurrences have dramatically shot up in recent years, the need to act and preserve the planet for the future seems to be now more than ever.
