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Cortland residents demand action after severe flooding; council vows to pursue options
Summary
Residents of Tournament Trail, Old Oak Drive and nearby streets told the Cortland City Council on May 5 that recurring creek overflows and sewer backups caused extensive home damage. City staff and the mayor said they will pursue short- and long-term options with federal, state and local partners, but no formal action was taken at the meeting.
Cortland City Council heard more than an hour of public testimony on May 5 from residents who said a recent storm sent creek water and sewage into basements, destroying furnaces, hot-water tanks and personal property.
The public-comment portion was moved to the start of the meeting to accommodate residents; dozens described the night of flooding on Tournament Trail, Turner Trail and Old Oak Drive and urged the city to dredge the creek and upgrade sewer infrastructure.
Cheryl Thomas, a resident of 248 Orlando Drive, said the flood left almost a foot of water in her basement and that she and neighbors have “videos … that would make you wanna crack.” Thomas said, “I am scared to death,” and urged the council to “go down that creek … find out what garbage is down that creek, and it needs cleaned up.”
Resident Matthew Demaria said much of the damage on Turner Trail came from sewage backup: “the sewage backup was at least 3 feet deep before the water ever got to us from the creek.” Demaria said he had already spent “above $18,000 out of my own pocket” repairing damage and asked whether the city could help residents who do not qualify for FEMA…
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