New York State Emergency Services Commissioner Pat Murphy stopped in Youngstown Wednesday to view the flooding already underway there.
- State Emergency Services commissioner toured Youngstown shoreline
- Crews will continue to monitor ahead of expected flooding
- Pumps, sandbags supplied to communities that need them
Murphy says his crews have patrolled the 400 miles of Lake Ontario shoreline over the last four weeks, supplying pumps, sandbags and other equipment to communities that need them.
He says it's inevitable that waterfront businesses will be negatively impacted, and expressed frustration with the International Joint Commission.
"The issue is the water levels have to be managed more effectively earlier in the season, and we don't see that happening," Murphy said.
Niagara Jet Adventures Owner Brian Price echoes that sentiment, saying he never had an issue before 2017.
Since then, he's had to replace his floor three times, and may have to do it again if the water rises another six inches.
"I've already had water in the building. I have water coming across my fuel dock in which I supply the fuel to all the government agencies down here that patrol our border. If we lose the point of where we're able to pump fuel to them, you're not gonna have anybody on this river patrolling your borders," Price said.
Olcott is already affected by flooding as well.
Newfane Town Supervisor Timothy Horanburg announced Tuesday that Olcott Beach will be closed for the summer.
Last year, the town spent $40,000 to rebuild the beach and an access road to it, but he feels it would be a waste to spend that money again.
"I can't afford to drop that $40,000, knowing it's probably gonna wash away again," Horanburg said.
Horanburg says while the beach is closed, he says many other fun activities will not be affected.
He says he will direct families with children to the splash pad at neighboring Krull Park.