REPORT: Damages from flash flooding in Lowville and Lewis County may flirt with $50 million, sources say

LOWVILLE- The recovery and rebuilding efforts charge onward in the village of Lowville, NY and Lewis County community in the wake of some devastating weather earlier this month and the latest reports suggest that public infrastructure damages may end up flirting upwards of $50 million.

If you drive through the village now, things look in tip-top shape on the outside, but there are several homes and businesses that have damage the eyes outside cannot see.

Several properties, including private businesses and homes, were flooded out during a July 16 rainstorm that will be marked forever in the local history books.

Countless roadways were shut down due to washouts. The hallways of Lowville Academy were flooded with water and a fence line at the fairgrounds was completely washed away.

That's just a glimpse of that destruction from that day.

While speaking with us earlier this month, the County Manager assured that public infrastructure damages would very likely meet or exceed the minimal FEMA threshold.

During a Board of Legislators Meeting Tuesday afternoon, it was revealed a crew of nearly two-dozen people from New York’s Department of Homeland Security toured the Lewis County region and came up with damage estimates to public infrastructure.

Keep in mind, these damage estimates DO NOT include any private properties.

The team of surveyors concluded that total road and bridge replacements throughout the county may hit as high as $27 million.

Furthermore, the survey team concluded that damages to Lowville Academy have potential to ring-in between $12 million and $20 million.

Also, the team estimated that the hospital had about $2 million worth of damage as well.

PHOTO BY JEB'S RESTAURANT: Crews continue with the cleanup efforts in downtown.