OLCOTT, N.Y. — Lake Ontario is 15 inches lower than it was this time last year, offering relief to those who were submerged under historic flood waters. There's no need for a state of emergency to be declared.
That doesn't mean leaders aren't preparing for the worst.
A couple thousand sandbags are on hand at Newfane's Department of Public Works. Some have already been moved to the shoreline. On top of those sandbags, there are 40,000 more ready to be filled, and 10 tons of sand piled up to fill them. Nearly two dozen pumps are on standby, too.
Over at the Olcott Yacht Club, a new seawall has been built. It replaces the one that fell into Lake Ontario last year. The $150,000 price tag is considered an investment in the future. Work is still being done to fix the ground that washed away, but most of the lawn has been paved in case the water rises again.
This year, the club has an opening date, something it couldn’t promise members last year.