As the river has settled back into its banks, most of us are able to return to life as normal.  For the individuals or businesses that were not so lucky, document all of your damage.  Since Essex County and the Town of Jay both declared a State of Emergency for this weather event, data will be collected by Essex County Emergency Services at 518-873-3905 to apply for FEMA funds to help repair the damages, if we meet certain thresholds.  As I get more information about this, I will pass it along.

Town of Jay and Essex County Highway crews are working hard to repair the damages to roadways throughout the town and county.  As of this post, Grove Road, Carey Road, Hesseltine Road and Trumbull’s Corners Road (CR-85) are still closed.  The Town of Jay is working on Carey Road today.  Grove Road has extensive damage to a culvert near Green Street.  Hesseltine Road has culvert damage near Hazen Road.  Trumbull’s Corners Road (CR-85) has been undermined and needs shoulder work between Valley Road and Route 9N. As updates are available, we will be sure to pass them along.

Senator Dan Stec and Assemblyman Matt Simpson stopped by to survey some of the damage along with Deputy Highway Superintendent Chris Sorrell and Robbie Lincoln.  We showed them the issues the Town of Jay faces with the culverts on Grove Road and Hesseltine Road.  We discussed the huge expense the Town of Jay is facing to replace these with properly sized box culverts.  Attached is a picture of one of those discussions on Grove Road.

Lastly, I would like to thank the three fire departments in the Town of Jay Au Sable Forks, Jay, and Upper Jay and the Au Sable Forks Ambulance Service.  Their quick response to close roads and monitor the flooding well into the night made it so there were no injuries reported in the Town of Jay.  I would like to thank the DEC for being on standby at the Au Sable Forks Fire Station with personnel, equipment, and an airboat in case of evacuation needs.  I would also like to give a huge Thank You to the American Red Cross for manning a Shelter at the Town of Jay Community Center which ended up not being needed.  The last Thank You goes to the Town of Jay Highway Crew for a long day of monitoring roads, keeping culverts flowing, delivering signs, and keeping our roadways as safe as possible during this event.

If anyone needs help please contact my office and I will try to get you in touch with the agency to help you recover.

Matt Stanley

Town of Jay Supervisor