CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. — More tornadoes were confirmed in New York this week and the National Weather Service was back out on Friday surveying damage.
In the wake of recent severe storms, it raises the question of how towns prepare for these unpredictable weather events, from urging residents to prepare and implement emergency plans to local officials coordinating with state agencies.
An area along the north end of Canandaigua Lake was hit hard by last week's storms, leaving behind a lot of damage to be cleaned up. We can't stop storms from happening, but communities can prepare for them. It's important to understand how they prepare to keep people as safe as possible.
"You're always preparing for storms and other events and doing maintenance of our general infrastructure storm drains sewers water and pruning trees being prepared just in general," said John Goodwin, city manager for Canandaigua.
Beyond infrastructure, community organizations are crucial. Goodwin mentioned organizations like United Way and the Salvation Army. Even churches assist in that they work together to provide resources the government cannot.
"Those organizations have been phenomenal and really stepped up and it gives us a 211 line to try to help people get through to some resources," said Goodwin.
Preparedness including handling rare weather events like a thousand-year storm. Goodwin says that infrastructure is being designed to cope with these extreme conditions.
"We've been working for years in advance to build retention basins upstream to try to hold back water," said Goodwin. "It not only holds back quantity but also improves the quality when it eventually gets to Canandaigua Lake.
John Yannotti, director of emergency management for Ontario County also helps with resources during major storms. He says being ready for anything is key.
"So ready.gov is a really good source, but our office as well has resources," said Yannotti. "We had set up a site here or residents come in and can take sandbags and help prepare themselves for any situation that may involve flooding."
Yannotti also mentioned that he sends emails from the National Weather Service.
"So I send them out to the chiefs and the assistant chiefs and the fire departments," said Yannotti. "We also send them out to local emergency medical services so that way they get the products from the Buffalo office quicker and it'll keep them in a more situationally aware train of thought."
These measures will, hopefully, allow communities to be better equipped to face the challenges posed by severe weather.