PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Otsego County State of Emergency remains in effect until 1:45 pm on July 7, 2006. The State of Emergency is extended due to emergency conditions produced by flooding between June 27 through June 30, 2006 which caused severe damage to infrastructure and to individual homes and businesses

Road status is updated as it comes in from the Highway Department on the county website www.otsegocounty.com or contact the EOC at 607-547-4328.

Governor Pataki announced today that an additional $25 million in new aid will be made available to residents, and small and large businesses affected by the flooding.

The Governor also announced that two additional Disaster Assistance Service Centers will open on Friday in Chenango and Tioga counties:

Chenango: Bainbridge Municipal Building, West Main Street, Bainbridge
Tioga: Owego –Apalachin CSD Middle School, 3 Sheldon Guile Rd, Owego

To better assist flood victims the Sullivan County Disaster Assistance Center will be relocated on Friday to the Livingston Manor Central School, 19 School St., Livingston.

Free Tetanus Clinic: The Otsego County Health Department will be holding a free Tetanus Vaccination clinic on:

Monday July 10^th 10 am – 12 pm

242 Main Street, Oneonta

Tuesday July 11^th 10 am -12 pm

The Meadows Office Complex, County Rte 33W

Cooperstown

Vaccine will be provided to any individuals who have been or will be exposed to contaminated flood water and have not had a tetanus shot in the past 10 years.

Hepatitis A concerns: If you live in an area stricken by recent flooding, you do not need to worry about contracting Hepatitis A. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that, even in flood conditions “No transmission from contaminated water has been identified in the US since the 1980s including during Hurricane Katrina and previous hurricanes and the big Midwest floods of the 1990’s.”

Follow these simple and effective steps to protect yourself from infections:

Thoroughly wash your hands after contact with potentially contaminated floodwaters or debris;
Use gloves when handling items exposed to flood waters, wash your hands after removing the gloves;
If you have open cuts or sores exposed to floodwater, keep them as clean as possible by washing them with soap and disinfected or boiled water and apply antibiotic ointment.

If your home or business was impacted by a fuel oil spill during the floods and a fuel oil odor is present, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the Otsego and Delaware County Health Departments recommend ventilating the building after the fuel oil has been removed. Use fans or blowers to force vapors in the cellar directly outdoors so fumes are not distributed throughout the building. Either ventilate the living area directly outdoors or channel the airflow from the living area through the basement and then outdoors. This will reduce odors and minimize exposure. If strong odors persist or if you experience health effects, you may need to relocate until air quality improves

Short-term exposure to petroleum products can cause irritation of the eyes, skin and respiratory tract; headaches, tiredness and dizziness. Increased exposure can cause nausea and vomiting; and extreme exposure can result in coma and death. The elderly, infants and those with heart, breathing or nervous system problems may have an increased risk of effects from exposure. It is important to minimize exposure. If you experience persistent symptoms, see your doctor.

Questions on ventilation and indoor air concerns can be directed to the State Health Department’s Oneonta District Office at 607-432-3911.

RESIDENTS OF OTSEGO COUNTY ONLY

Otsego County Call Center:

800-884-9286.

Hours 8 am – 8 pm

Daily

Representatives from the Otsego County Department of Social Services are also available at the Disaster Assistance Center at Lee Hall SUNY Oneonta.

Red Cross representatives are also located at Lee Hall to provide assisantance.

Directions to Lee Hall in Oneonta: From I88 exit 15 to the traffic light at Main Street, Oneonta. Cross Main Street onto Maple Ave. to the traffic light at Center Street. Right on Center Street , first left onto East Street ( look for the green airport sign). East Street to Bugbee Rd (past the Oneonta High School). Left onto Bugbee Rd. to the 2^nd left - East Dormitory Rd. Left on East Dormitory Rd to Lee Hall.

FEMA ASSISTANCE

800-621-3362

TTY: 800-462-7585

APPLY ON LINE www.disasteraid.fema.gov

STATE ASSISTANCE

888-769-7243

TTY: NYS Relay 711

Apply on line www.labor.state.ny.us

For assistance with disaster benefits and flood related issues the Otsego County Office for the Aging will provide assistance for residents over the age of 60. Contact the Office for the Aging at 607-547-4232 or 607-432-9041 Monday thru Friday 9 am – 4 pm.

WASTE DISPOSAL: Flood damaged material and debris can be taken to:

· MOSA in Oneonta Monday thru Saturday 7 am – 3 pm and the

· Northern MOSA in Cooperstown on St Hwy 28 on Saturday and Wednesday

8 am – 2:30 pm.

Additional roll off containers have been placed for flood damaged materials in the following locations:

Unadilla – former Bishop Hotel
Otego – Town Hall
Laurens – Village garage
Milford – Town Barn
Burlington – former Town barn
Hartwick – Town Hall
Richfield – Bella Electric (near the Lake House Restaurant) and Bakers Beach

Otsego County will cover the costs of disposal of flood damaged waste.

Household hazardous waste materials damaged by the flood i.e. oil or fuel soaked rugs or furniture or paint can be disposed of at the containers placed in the rail yards on Round House Rd. in the City of Oneonta.

Karen Liddle

Public Information Officer

607-547-1660