Residents receive truckload of goodwill

GOWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - The hard work continues after Sunday's damaging storms on the southern tier. Gowanda residents received a truckload of goodwill from the City of Good Neighbors.

When a 25 foot semi loaded with about 25,000 thousand pounds of aid arrived, and unloaded at the staging area in Gowanda, a cloud lifted for a flood ravaged people.

Gowanda Mayor Dick Klancer said, "It's a humbling thing when you get in a jam and everything looks terrible, and all of a sudden things come from everywhere, you know, it's a great thing."

Young volunteers are both giving and receiving the right message.

Youth volunteer Rebecca McMullen said, "I was really happy that everyone was coming together and helping each other and trying to fix the community and make it better."

The community needs a lot of fixing, but the Army National Guard out of Buffalo is making progress, along everyone working to restore the village. New York Governor David Paterson's visit there Wednesday gave Gowanda residents hope that the federal government also might come to their aid.

Gowanda Assemblyman Joe Giglio said, "That money is key to restoring both municipalities and individual homeowners, and individuals that need help."

The needs were expressed by flood-weary residents and business owners who were hoping for quick solutions.

George Bowers of Gowanda Snack Shack said, "State Police keeping everybody out of town, our business has dropped, terrible."

Gowanda homeowner Jane Seiler said, "Like many of us. I lost everything in the basement, appliances, hot water tank, and furnace. Flood insurance doesn't cover contents of houses. Is there hope for FEMA?"

Chautauqua County Legislature Chair Crystal Albers said, "We do not yet have a firm answer to that."

And there were concerns about simpler solutions to problems like the dust that has infiltrated everything.

A Gowanda resident said, "We have children running around, we have elderly. Should we have dust masks be handed out? Is it going to be that much of a health risk for us?"

Floods have wreaked havoc in Gowanda for decades. Residents are now asking questions about long term solutions as well.

Another Gowanda resident asked, "Is there a plan in place to help these folks?" (applause)

But for now, the immediate goal is to make Gowanda habitable once again, one block at a time.

A 24-hour hotline has been set up for any Gowanda residents in need of assistance. The number is 995-2164. The hotline provides residents in need with food, medicine, clothing, shelter and social services.

In the midst of clean-up efforts, officials are warning residents of potential scammers trying to clean them out - financially. Someone is apparently posing as an engineer, asking homeowners in the Silver Creek area to write him a check so their home can be certified as a safe structure.

Friday, the Chautauqua County Executive issued a warning.

Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards said, "If you're here to steal from the residents of Chautauqua County, we will identify you."

The First United Presbyterian Church in Silver Creek has opened it's doors to those in need with a 24-hour used clothing center. Meals will also be prepared at the church beginning Saturday at 5:00 p.m.

Health concerns have forced the extension of boil water advisories for the Village of Gowanda and Forestville. Residents in the Hamlet of Collins are not under a boil water advisory, however they are being asked to conserve water.

The Gowanda Assembly of God is now a staging center for flood relief volunteers and donations. Volunteers can check in at the Allen Street church and donations can be dropped off between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Anyone in need of donations must provide identification. Residents can also find aid at the Cattaraugus County family assistance center at Gowanda Elementary School.

Jamestown Savings Bank Arena is also collecting donations.

Much of western New York's lakeshore remains littered with debris from the storms. The beaches at Evans Town Park and Lake Erie Beach will remain closed until Monday.

However, swimmers can now beat the heat at Wendt Beach, Bennett Beach and the Beach at Evangola State Park. Those have since re-opened.