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Building Back Stronger: Rebuilding Storm-Damaged Infrastructure in New York State

July 15, 2025

In recent years, communities across Northern New York have felt firsthand the increasing force of climate change. In Franklin, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties alone, two major storm events hit just weeks apart last summer, bringing severe flooding, damaging roadways and bridges, and upending daily life. These were not isolated events; they were powerful reminders of the need for infrastructure that can withstand the growing intensity and frequency of extreme weather. The isolated severe storm events mentioned above created bridge failures and culvert washouts on roughly 80 sites, with additional shoulder and road washouts on over 100 sites throughout the North Country. The cost of the storm impacts well exceeded $40 million for the two isolated storm events mentioned above.

In the immediate aftermath, emergency response was the priority. Temporary one-lane bridges were quickly installed on two roads in the Town of New Bremen using 60-foot steel truss bridges provided by NYSDOT. These emergency crossings helped reduce detours and restored critical access for residents and emergency services. But multiple crossings remain washed out, highlighting the need not just to restore, but to rebuild with larger more resilient structures that can handle the higher intensity storm events that are being experienced in today’s climate.

That’s where FEMA comes in. Working closely with DHSES & FEMA, our team has been guiding municipalities through the full recovery process, from initial damage assessment and pre-disaster documentation to resilient designs, ultimately leading to final construction. Each site is being evaluated not just for repair, but for resilience. Hydrologic and hydraulic studies have revealed that many original structures were undersized, unable to handle today’s more frequent and severe storm flows. Now, we’re designing replacements that are built to last, sized for larger storm events, and tailored to the realities of a changing climate.

As we rebuild, we’re focused on more than restoration. We’re building smarter, safer infrastructure that serves communities now and in the future. By combining emergency response with long-term resiliency planning, we’re helping our region adapt to the challenges of climate change, one crossing at a time. For more information, reach out to Matt Schooley, P.E. or Bryan Tremblay, P.E.