Governor Cuomo says state representatives will meet this week with the International Joint Commission, while work goes on to prepare for possible flooding along the Lake Ontario Shoreline.
The IJC is the international body that regulates the Great Lakes. Currently it’s restricting the flow from Lake Ontario because of flooding in Canada along the St. Lawrence River. The governor says “we’ve had this same conversation” for many years with the IJC, but he’s hoping New York will get more consideration now that some New Yorkers have been appointed to the U.S. delegation by President Trump.
Cuomo toured flood preparation work at Sodus Point Monday afternoon, saying the state is preparing for the worst while hoping nothing happens. Sandbags are being filled at locations along the shore and the state is deploying “aqua dams” or water-filled flood barriers in vulnerable areas. National Guard troops are on standby in case flooding does occur.
Lake Ontario water levels are higher than average for this time of year, but still below the levels that triggered lakeshore flooding from Cayuga through Orleans counties two years ago.