Governor says state poised to act if flooding along Lake Ontario shoreline

File photo by Tom Rivers: in this photo from May 11, 2017, then Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul is joined by Assemblyman Steve Hawley in thanking members of the National Guard who were filling sandbags in the Kendall Highway Garage. About 50 National Guard members were in Kendall that day filling and placing sandbags for shoreline property owners. High lake waters devoured parts of the shoreline, with backyards slipping into the lake.

Posted 10 May 2023 at 9:12 am

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York State agency personnel are closely monitoring the rising water levels along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, as lake levels have surpassed 247 feet, following prolonged rainfall throughout the Great Lakes system in recent weeks.

While water levels have yet to reach and are not forecasted to reach the flood stages seen in 2017 and 2019, agencies including the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services are coordinating efforts and preparing resources to assist lakeshore communities with potential flooding impacts. Agencies will make sandbags, pumps and other flood mitigation resources available to local governments, as needed, over the coming weeks.

“Residents who live and work along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River have faced tremendous challenges in recent years, but by taking proactive measures and coordinating with our local government partners along the lake, we are ensuring our communities impacted by previous flood events have the resources and information they need to mitigate the impacts of potential flooding this year,” Hochul said. “We will continue to work together with our local and federal partners to monitor Lake Ontario water levels and are ready to deploy resources to protect residents and businesses from flooding on the lakeshore.”

Due to recent heavy rainfall in the Great Lakes system, Lake Ontario’s water level is currently above 247 feet and forecasts suggest levels may continue to rise, as the International Joint Commission (IJC) manages water flows in the system to address flooding throughout the region. In recent years, the lowest points along the lake began to flood at approximately 248 feet. The historic maximum lake level is 249 feet.

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) is working closely with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and other state agency partners to coordinate the availability of flood mitigation resources, including pumps and sandbags, should local emergency management officials request assistance.

This past week, field staff from the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) participated in a conference call with local partners from Cayuga, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego and Wayne counties regarding lake levels and discuss the availability of state resources, should flooding become an issue. New York State is also coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on federally-supported preparation efforts in advance of any potential elevated water levels.

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Several recent periods of heavy rain have led to above average water levels on Lake Ontario. While there are no active reports of flooding, and the State’s REDI projects have made the shoreline considerably more resilient to high water, we continue to monitor water levels and are prepared to assist shoreline communities with resources, if necessary.”

The following assets are available to deploy from the State’s regional stockpiles to assist shoreline communities: