Cleanup efforts are moving into a critical new phase across Seneca County after two tornadoes and destructive straight-line winds tore through the Waterloo, Seneca Falls and Fayette areas Wednesday night, with officials now asking residents to document damage, prepare debris for collection and help build the case for state and federal disaster assistance.
The immediate priorities this week include large-scale tree and brush removal, continued damage assessments and efforts to secure outside recovery aid. Seneca County has already declared a disaster, while the Village of Waterloo is pursuing its own disaster declaration following the Sept. 2 storm.
For residents, one of the most important steps now is documenting damage. Seneca County Emergency Management is encouraging anyone whose home or business was damaged to complete New York state’s online self-reporting damage assessment. Officials stressed that the form isn’t an application for financial assistance. Instead, the information will help the state and counties measure losses and determine whether the damage is sufficient to pursue federal aid.
Waterloo is separately asking residents to submit photographs and estimates of storm damage as village officials pursue a disaster declaration. Submissions should include the owner’s information, property location and contact information and can be texted to 315-651-9017 or delivered to the Village Office. Residents who need assistance printing materials can also bring them to the office.
The village said residents who need other storm-related assistance can contact officials at 315-539-9131.
Debris pickup planned in Waterloo
Debris removal will be one of the most visible parts of the recovery effort this week.
The Village of Waterloo is already collecting trees and brush placed along the roadside and is working with Seneca County on a villagewide debris pickup Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Officials are telling residents to keep construction debris out of tree and brush piles. Crews won’t sort through mixed piles, meaning residents who combine building materials with vegetative debris risk having the material left behind.
Residents have also been asked to have yard debris at the roadside no later than Monday, Sept. 7, including material they had previously intended to dispose of during the September cleanup. Larger pieces should, when possible, be cut into lengths of 4 to 6 feet and no more than 12 inches around. Smaller material that can be bagged should be bagged.
The cleanup follows extensive tree damage in and around Waterloo. The National Weather Service determined an EF1 tornado with estimated peak winds of 95 mph moved from northwest of Waterloo toward Seneca Falls Wednesday night. An intense downburst associated with the same storm caused additional damage across Waterloo, including areas outside the tornado’s direct path.
A separate and stronger EF2 tornado with estimated winds of 115 mph traveled nearly eight miles across Fayette, destroying or severely damaging barns and other outbuildings, damaging farms and snapping power poles. No deaths or injuries were reported from either Seneca County tornado.
Damage reports could affect disaster aid
The documentation residents and municipalities compile in the coming days could have consequences well beyond cleanup.
Seneca County Board of Supervisors Chairman Michael Enslow signed a disaster declaration Sept. 4 asking Gov. Kathy Hochul to pursue state and federal assistance. The county is seeking expedited preliminary damage assessments and wants Seneca County included in any request for a presidential emergency or major disaster declaration stemming from the Sept. 2 severe-weather outbreak.
The county is also asking the state to pursue a U.S. Small Business Administration disaster declaration and other programs that could potentially provide assistance to homeowners, renters, businesses, farms, nonprofits and local governments.
None of that outside assistance has been approved yet.
The county’s declaration says homes, businesses, farms, vehicles, public facilities, municipal infrastructure and utility systems were damaged. Local governments are also documenting expenses associated with emergency response, debris removal, infrastructure damage and extended power outages.
That makes individual damage reporting particularly important. The information collected now will help officials establish the overall scale and financial cost of the disaster as state and federal agencies determine whether the area qualifies for additional assistance.
Kids Territory remains closed in Seneca Falls
Residents in Seneca Falls are also being asked to stay away from Kids Territory while storm cleanup continues.
The Seneca Falls Recreation Department has closed the property until further notice as crews address storm damage and safety concerns. Officials said people should remain off the property until it has been cleared and formally reopened.
The National Weather Service found that the EF1 tornado weakened as it moved into northern Seneca Falls before ending around 8:32 p.m. Wednesday.
Across the affected communities, emergency crews, highway departments, utility workers, municipal employees and volunteers have spent the days since the storm clearing roads, securing damaged structures, removing debris and restoring services.
Waterloo Fire Chief James Clark said first responders worked through dangerous conditions after the storm to secure structures and clear hazardous roads, while residents, business owners and volunteers began checking on neighbors and removing debris almost immediately.
The physical recovery will take longer. For residents this week, officials are emphasizing three immediate priorities: photograph and report storm damage, follow local rules when placing debris at the roadside and stay clear of damaged or closed public areas while cleanup continues.
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