Sodus Point officials say Lake Ontario conditions have improved slightly heading into the weekend, reducing the immediate likelihood that emergency sandbagging efforts will be needed in vulnerable parts of the village.
In an update to residents, village officials said the current Lake Ontario water level measured 247.28 feet, with outflows at 8,070 cubic meters per second, according to the International Joint Commission. Officials said the calendar has now moved into a more favorable stage within the village’s emergency planning timeline.
Mayor Pat Nolan said the village has already prepared roughly 7,000 sandbags as a precaution in case lake conditions worsen later this season.
The sandbags are currently being stored at the village highway barn while officials continue monitoring forecasts and water levels daily.
Nolan also thanked Scott Johnson and JT Storage Co. for donating labor, time and support to help produce and palletize the sandbags.
“While current trends are encouraging, we want to ensure the Village remains prepared should conditions change,” Nolan said in the update.
Village officials said the sandbags could eventually be distributed to residents after the Memorial Day holiday weekend if they are not needed for emergency protection of critical infrastructure and flood-prone public areas.
The village is also working to coordinate volunteer organizations that could assist residents physically unable to place sandbags themselves if flooding risks increase later this summer.
Sodus Point officials said they will continue coordinating with county and state emergency officials while monitoring lake conditions in the coming weeks.
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