Four months after Tropical Storm Debby devastated Canisteo, residents are still grappling with the aftermath. Homes were destroyed, roads were damaged, and debris continues to plague the area. Billy Weakland, who lost his home in the flood, shares his story of resilience and hope.
Four months on, people in Steuben and Allegany counties are still rebuilding after the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby caused widespread damage. This past August, places like Canisteo saw devastating floods. Roads were damaged and homes were destroyed by rushing water carrying tons of debris. Billy Weakland and his family would narrowly escape their home. The flood would render his house just south of Canisteo a total loss. Many of his possessions were swept into a nearby field.
Weakland and his family are safe, and with a temporary roof over their heads, are waiting to build a new home next year. 'It's nice to be where we're at now,' said Weakland. 'We're just kind of steady. The girls are doing school and work. Everything is going smooth. We're comfortable here for now.' In the weeks that followed the floods, Weakland applied for emergency funding from the state. Since then, he's been working with a local organization acting as a fiduciary to help him secure up to $50,000 in state aid to help rebuild. 'There's a lot of people that lost everything just like we did too,' Weakland said. 'I really hope they get the money they need, and I hope they can get the help they need.' 'I'm thankful (for) where we're at now,' he added. 'It could have been a different story. It could have been a much, much different story.' All around Canisteo, and near the site of Weakland's old home, the scars left by debris swept past by the floods can still be seen. There has been no shortage of debris for working crews to contend with. 'There's just a tremendous amount of gravel and woody debris that found its way into this,' said Steuben County Manager Jack Wheeler. 'Into the stream beds as a result of this flooding'
Tropical Storm Flood Rebuilding Debris Canisteo
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