Cuomo to IJC: Maximize Lake Ontario outflows to prevent flooding

Feb. 24-- Feb. 24--Gov. Andrew Cuomo is urging the International Joint Commission to maximize Lake Ontario outflows as water levels continue to rise and local officials worry flooding could affect shoreline communities.

In a letter to the commission's U.S. section chair, Lana Pollack, Cuomo asked the binational agency to take action. The lake is at 246.03 feet, 15 inches above the average for this time of year and four inches year than last year's level.

The International Joint Commission said Friday that it's maximizing outflows due to rising water levels on Lake Ontario.

"While New York has undertaken a wide range of preventive measures to protect against flooding, the IJC must be a partner in this effort," Cuomo wrote. "The IJC should ensure that the federal government is actively working to increase the resiliency of our great lakes coastline and minimizing the risk of potential flooding."

State Sen. Pam Helming and Assemblyman Brian Manktelow, along with other central New York state lawmakers, authored a letter to Cuomo and federal representatives alerting them of the situation along the Lake Ontario shoreline.

Manktelow's office revealed Friday that Wayne County may declare a state of emergency if water levels along the lake continue to rise. Fair Haven Mayor Jim Basile told The Citizen that he's concerned about the water levels and the potential for flooding.

In 2017, flooding affected several communities along the Lake Ontario shoreline. The flooding was severe enough for President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration.

Cuomo hopes if the IJC continues to maximize outflows, a repeat of the 2017 floods can be avoided.

"We took action to protect communities from further flooding and delivered critical state and federal funding to help families and businesses rebuild," Cuomo wrote. "Now we must do everything in our power to ensure history does not repeat itself."

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