By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-984931.mp3
Albany, NY – The Hudson and Mohawk Valleys are off to a wet start this week as communities come together with government officials to rebuild in the wake of massive flooding: WAMC's Dave Lucas reports.
Residents knew a storm named Irene was coming: they didn't know that their lives would be forever changed by the raging floodwaters she brought with her. Among the hardest hit areas: Greene and Schoharie counties, where some families lost everything, communications are spotty, and help not always easy to come by.
Some 125 New York Army National Guard Soldiers from Western New York are being deployed to Greene, Delaware and Scoharie Counties. Major Joseph Merril, stationed in Syracuse, adds the troops will provide traffic control and assist in the management of volunteer efforts.
The struggle continues to rebuild hundreds of roads and dozens of bridges ... Greene County Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh says a lot of roads around Catskill have been patched up.
Gilboa-Conesville School District 4th grade teacher Maureen Agostinello has set up a benefit fund for students - many of them evacuated so quickly during the flood they literally have nothing but the clothes they were wearing when they left.
The fund has been set up through TD Bank 518-455-9912.
Kerry Cubas is a member of the Phonecia Rotary Club: she is active in citizen relief efforts in the towns of Windham and Prattsville. Cubas says the area is in need of roof tarps, tents, tools, 9-volt and size D batteries and men's work boots.
Officials in Schenectady County are urging citizens there to get in touch with FEMA if they have experienced ANY property damage. The rains continue coming: forecasters at accuweather-dot-com warn "...at least two more storm systems have a shot at wandering close enough to the East Coast of North America to bring heavy rainfall to troubled areas dealing with flooding."