OLCOTT, N.Y. — One day after Governor Andrew Cuomo promised to send additional resources to communities subject to potential floods due to rising Lake Ontario water levels, an Aqua Dam was installed in Olcott.
It is one of two which crews will be placing there in hopes of keeping flooding at bay.
The Aqua Dam is a large bladder, which can be transported in a large duffel bag, and moved to other locations when deflated.
When filled with water, the one installed Thursday morning at the end of Wright Street stretched 84 feet in length, and provided a four foot high dike, weighing 71 tons when filled.
“I sure hope it works,” said Lisa Pettitte, who lives next door to where the Aqua Dam was installed on Thursday. She said strong northerly winds pushed waves into her yard on Wednesday night.
Earlier Thursday, sandbagging operations were ramped up in nearby Wilson after flooding there.
“All along the lakeshore we're having issues,” said Jonathan Schultz, who serves as Niagara County’s Fire Coordinator and Director of Emergency Services. “We’re kind of taking it hour by hour and filling the holes that we have to with the water coming up and coming in.”