Funke Delivers Funds to Stem the Tide of “100-Year” Floods in Ontario County

Rich Funke

August 12, 2015

Senator Rich Funke today announced he has secured $400,000 in State infrastructure funding that will be made available to the Towns of Richmond and Canadice to address persistent, localized flooding in the Honeoye Lake watershed. Funke was joined at the announcement by Ontario County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Marren, Town of Richmond Supervisor Ralph Angelo, and Town of Canadice Supervisor Kristine Singer, whose communities experienced significant damage from floods that have occurred annually for two consecutive years.

“They say that lighting doesn’t strike the same place twice. The same can’t be said for flooding, because Richmond and Canadice have now been slammed by two ‘100-Year’ floods in two straight years,” said Funke. “This was a challenge that demanded action, so we went to bat in Albany for southern Ontario County and didn’t stop until we came back with the support Supervisors Angelo and Singer need to get the job done. I’m especially proud this funding can be used to deliver short and long term relief, all without leaving local taxpayers up a creek to cover the cost.”

On June 15, 2015, communities in southern Ontario County were affected by heavy rains and intense flash flooding that triggered travel advisories, school closures, and dozens of calls for emergency assistance from impacted residents. The Hamlet of Honeoye in the Town of Richmond was among the hardest hit, experiencing significant structural damage to public infrastructure and private properties along East and West Lake Roads. The event came on the heels of several occurrences of flooding in May and July of 2014, which affected many of the same communities, neighborhoods, and homes.

“During the flooding in 2014, then candidate Rich Funke pledged to help these communities and today he is certainly delivering on his promise,” said Marren. “I can’t thank Senator Funke enough for his continued commitment to Ontario County and the Towns of Canadice and Richmond, and for proving once again that he is a man of his word.”

Funke made contact with local officials in Ontario County on day one of the 2015 flooding event to offer his assistance in the immediate aftermath. He then went to work to identify ways to support the localities’ short-term remediation efforts, in addition to the development of long-term preventative measures. On Wednesday, July 22^nd Funke convened a roundtable meeting with a variety of stakeholders, including representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Department of Transportation, the County of Ontario, and the towns of Richmond, Canadice, and Naples. Topics of discussion included the suspected causes of persistent flooding in the Honeoye Lake watershed, concerns from local governments, concerns from homeowners, and potential solutions. Priorities identified at the meeting will likely be incorporated into the localities’ plans to use the funding moving forward.

"I talk with people here in Richmond who are frustrated with the flooding every day. Many are cleaning-up for the second year in a row. Others want our roads and culverts repaired. Most of all, everyone wants to know what can be done to keep this from happening again,” said Angelo. “I thank Senator Funke for delivering the tools our Town will need to get things back to normal, and I look forward to working with him to provide solutions for our residents moving forward.”

“Towns like Canadice and Richmond are doing our best, but local governments can’t do it alone. That’s why I am grateful that Senator Funke brought partners and resources to the table to deliver help,” said Singer. “I want to thank Senator Funke for keeping the lines of communication open with local leaders and for stepping up to be our voice in Albany. Today is a good day for our communities, because we know help is on its way.”

The funding is eligible to be used by the Towns of Richmond and Canadice for repair and remediation efforts and the development and implementation of flood management measures. Final determination has not been made on any specific use for the funds at this time. More information will be shared after the localities are able to complete the planning and development stages. Of the funding being made available, $300,000 will be allocated to the Town of Richmond and $100,000 will be allocated to the Town of Canadice.