Tusten roads suffer over $1 million in flood damages

Tusten Supervisor Ben Johnson said early this week that the September 18 flood caused at least $1 million worth of damage to Town of Tusten roads and bridges. Johnson and Tusten Highway Superintendent George Kinch based their estimation on comparisons with damage caused by the flood of 2000 in the Upper Delaware Valley.

One bridge was lifted off its foundations, and two others were significantly damaged, Johnson said. When the waters receded, Kirk Road was left with a gouge across its entire width. Kinch said Grassy Swamp Road and the Cochecton Turnpike sustained major damage.

Following the 2000 flood, former Highway Superintendent Skip Feagles requested $1.2 million in funding from federal and state emergency management agencies, and the town received close to that amount, Kinch said. Johnson said Tusten would likely request at least $1.2 million for needed repairs.