Melting snow causes flooding at Sackets Harbor apartments

Feb. 05--SACKETS HARBOR -- Eight people from an apartment complex for the elderly and disabled were forced out of their homes overnight because of flooding.

Seven of the 24 apartments in Harbor Heights ended up with at least two inches of water, caused by melting snow at the 211 Woolsey Drive property.

The apartment complex's maintenance man got a call at about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday that was water was seeping into apartments, property manager Jeremy D. Chartrand said.

Four tenants were evacuated and stayed overnight at a local hotel. Others didn't want to leave their homes.

The apartment complex is subsidized housing run by Snowbelt Housing, Lowville.

The Sackets Harbor fire department was called overnight to help with the situation. A Bobcat was used to remove snow to stop the flooding.

Large fans and vacuums also are being used to dry up the carpeting, which must be replaced.

"It's going to be quite costly," Mr. Chartrand said, adding he doesn't know how much the repairs will cost.

He hopes the repairs will be completed within a few days and tenants can move back in them. Snowbelt Housing contacted its insurance company to see if the damage will be covered.

Flooding has been a problem in the past at the property. Snowbelt Housing plans to talk to village officials to see what can be done to prevent the flooding.

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