UPPER JAY — Though each may have his or her tale to tell, there was a universal theme — neighbor helping neighbor — in Tropical Storm Irene's aftermath.
While at first glance, the streets in AuSable Forks look like little has happened, save a light brown dusting on the blacktop, the side streets are still littered with downed trees, hoses stretched out from flooded basements and spewing gallons of water, and worldly possessions spread out throughout the lawns.
Phone lines buzzing
At the Jay Town Hall, phone lines are constantly buzzing and streams of citizens file in, many carrying supplies to donate for rescue personnel and those who have been displaced.
Jay Town Supervisor Randy Douglas expressed admiration for the citizens and all the volunteers associated with the effort. Unlike other communities in which Gov. Andrew Cuomo came in by helicopter, there was no place to land, so Douglas was whisked away in a police vehicle to meet with the state's chief solon.
"I can't say enough, as the governor has been most helpful to us in our times of need. His people have reached out and have offered whatever we need," Douglas said.
The interview was then punctuated by still another phone call; this time from John Cahalin of Florida, who pledged $25,000, or approximately $275 for each affected family in Keene and Jay.
"We have had tons of people coming in with food and donating money. It's amazing, it's overwhelming. It becomes emotional at times, with all the volunteers and staff who have been putting in such long hours," Douglas said.
Discussing some of the out-lying areas, specifically Upper Jay, Douglas said, "It looks like a bomb went off. We have 16 National Guard troops staying here helping us." AuSable Valley Central School has provided a bus to shuttle the troops to the school for showers, while the firehouse kitchen has been providing meals for volunteers and anyone else who needs food and water.
Upstairs in the town hall, the Girl Scouts have been diligently collecting and sorting a myriad of donated items.
Christine Darrah has spearheaded the effort.
"We have collected so many things. It's unreal. It seems people donate in times of need. We could use some more cleaning supplies, especially brooms, mops and disinfectant."
Darrah requested that those who need clothing, bedding and other supplies not hesitate to come to the town hall or call her at 536-0010.
Upper Jay Fire Chief Jeff Straight pointed to the gaping hole where the wall used to meet the firehouse's floor.
"We had just finished this placed after three years of hard work. I guess we will have to do it again."
Didn't worry about it
"We contacted people, and tried to get them to come out," Straight said. "We started out at 2 p.m. but people said they didn't need to worry about it. Everyone wanted to save what they could, but sometimes you just have to get out."
Firefighter Alex Santos was exasperated by the fact that warnings by the fire department went unheeded. "The worst part is when you tell them to get out and they don't want to. Then they call you later and need help."
'A real flash flood'
There are still many without water and electricity and the fire department has been delivering supplies by four-wheelers to some remote areas. One of the main objectives is to clear the roads to allow for NYSEG trucks to make it through.
"I was born and raised here, and have never seen anything like this. Everyone says the water has been 4 to 5 feet higher than anyone has ever seen. Nothing has ever happened as fast as this. It was like a real flash flood," Straight said.
Next door at the Wells Memorial Library, librarian Karen Rappaport and others were adding volume after volume to a huge outside pile of soggy books, as well as hosing down the removed shelving.
"We lost our entire collection of children's books, and about 30 to 40 percent of the rest. All of our computers have been filled with mud. There has been a tremendous outpouring of help from the community."
Santos, like others in the volunteer fire department, has been cutting downed trees for the past three days, as well as trying to get water to anyone he can. During a tour he pointed out specifics of the destruction.
"That house used to be over 200 yards over there. You can see how high the water got by the branches that are stuck in the motor home's mirror. There used to be a storage garage here that you can see way back by the edge of the woods."
Michele Trumbull stuck her head out of a window frame at her in-laws, Bob and Ester Trumbull's home. The pair, in their late 80s, are among the oldest Upper Jay's residents.
"They were evacuated when the water was in the field and taken to a motel in Wilmington. They don't yet know of all of the damage. We had to drill holes in the floor to let the water drain through," said Michele. Like virtually everyone else, the Trumbulls have no flood insurance.
Chain-saw blasts permeated the air as several crews from Moriah Shock and 16 members of the 1156 Engineer Co. National Guard unit from Kingston were spread through a half mile of Route 9N cutting trees and removing branches.
For Sgt. Chris Provoncha, of Ticonderoga, it was sort of a homecoming.
"It's so unreal how much devastation could come from rain. The people here have been great. They give us food and water, which makes it easier to deal with."
Paul Johnson ran Paul's Bakery in front of the house his family has lived in for three generations.
"When the fire department came, I was not concerned as we had never had a problem before."
He and his 90 year-old mother, Ruth, watched as the Borden's house floated by, along with someone's freezer chest and lots of cut firewood. His mother didn't leave until Monday.
"We were not concerned about our safety. We felt secure and never felt we would lose our lives."
Eventually the water rose three feet inside as evidenced by the wood stove that was caked with mud. The water also got inside the bakery and his antiques barn.
Anya Morgan, 9, trudged down the road with her formally bright yellow rubber boots bearing evidence of the flooding. Traces of mud reached her face and hair.
"I have been helping shovel out mud at the antique store for the past three or four hours. The flood was sort of exciting and sort of scary. We stayed at home because we were on higher ground. I was scared for my friends who were evacuated," Anya said.
Email Alvin Reiner at: rondackrambler@yahoo.com
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