Destroyed dams, flooded homes and collapsed roads were among the worst damage after a storm dumped unexpected 6 to 9 inches (15 to 23 centimeters) of rain in parts of northern Suffolk County overnight Sunday into Monday.
Local, state and federal officials toured the hardest-hit sites Tuesday as cost estimates were released and reconstruction plans took shape. Some of the most damaged areas, such as the dam under Harbor Road in Stony Brook, could take years and cost tens of millions to rebuild. Local officials hope to persuade the federal government to provide Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds to help clean up the damage.
Here are some of the places most affected.
Harbor Street, Stony Brook
Heavy rains destroyed a dam under Harbor Road in Stony Brook and drained Mill Pond. Photo credit: Newsday/James Carbone
Stony Brook’s Mill Pond was drained and part of nearby Harbor Road destroyed after heavy rain destroyed a dam beneath the road. Debris from the dam and road littered the now-dry waterway Tuesday morning as dozens of onlookers stopped to take in the sight.
Estimated damage/time frame for repair: Brookhaven city officials are working with Ronkonkoma-based Hayduk Engineering LLC to put together a cost estimate for rebuilding the dam. Dan Losquadro, director of Brookhaven’s road department, estimates the planning and permitting process could take a year, and another year for construction.
Stony Brook Flour Mill, Stony Brook
The Stony Brook Grist Mill, located on Harbor Road near Mill Pond, was flooded by the storm. Photo credit: Newsday/James Carbone
The grain mill, rebuilt in 1751, was flooded in the basement and its water wheel was under sand.
Estimated damage/time frame for repair: A civil engineer examined the Stony Brook Grist Mill on Monday and concluded it is structurally sound. Workers and volunteers are helping with the cleanup by clearing away debris and trees that have fallen onto the property and digging up the water wheel.
Blydenburgh County Park, Smithtown
Stump Pond is nearly empty after storms caused a dam to break on Monday. Photo credit: Tom Lambui/Tom Lambui
The rain destroyed the dam in Stump Pond and caused the water to flow into the nearby Nissequogue River. The previously submerged tree stumps that give the pond its name were visible for the first time since 1798, the year the pond was created.
Estimated damage/time frame for repair: County officials have promised to restore the pond but have not provided a timeline or cost estimate for the repairs. Activities such as boating and fishing are not possible until the dam and pond are restored, and the north end of the park is closed until further notice.
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook
Stony Brook University struggled with flooding at the Mendelsohn Center on Monday. Photo credit: Newsday/James Carbone
Stony Brook University evacuated dozens of students from their dorms after the storm and pushed back the move-in date for others until Monday morning. University officials also offered students up to $5,000 if they canceled their dorm assignments for the academic year.
Estimated damage/time frame for repair: As of Tuesday, all dormitories have reopened, with the exception of Ammann and Gray, which require extensive repairs and cannot be safely occupied, said Kelly Drossel, spokeswoman for Stony Brook University. Other dormitories have been temporarily rebooked as triple rooms to accommodate some students.
Those who were scheduled to move in on Monday and Tuesday will now move in on Thursday and Friday respectively. The school has not provided a cost estimate for the repairs.
