Heavy rain, flooding wreak havoc in Long Lake

by Dan McClelland

Heavy and continuous rains Monday and early Tuesday caused incredible flooding and severe infrastructure damage in Long Lake.

These dramatic photos show just some of the damage.

The damage prompted Town Supervisor Clay Arsenault to declare a state of emergency at 5a.m. yesterday in the aftermath of the natural onslaught of rain.

“This state of emergency has been declared due to severe flooding causing the destruction of roads, bridges, sidewalks and dams; possible damage to the Long Lake Water District’s infrastructure, downed electric transmission lines and poles and the evacuation and/or relocation of affected residents,” read the supervisor’s declaration.

The declaration gave Mr. Arsenault and town officials the authority “to preserve the public safety and hereby render all required and available vital to the security, well-being and health of the citizens of the town. His declaration also gave him authority to direct all agencies and departments of Hamilton County and the town to take whatever steps necessary to protect life and property, public infrastructure and provide emergency assistance deemed necessary by him.

Town and county and state crews were out in force yesterday to open up and repair the main arteries through the community to make travel possible again.