Back to business: digging out, cleaning up

Some are even saying goodbye

By SANDY LONG

UPPER DELAWARE VALLEY — Less than one week following devastating regional flooding, area watercraft and camping businesses were renting rafts and making it possible for people to enjoy the river again. Kittatinny Canoes began running a stretch of the Delaware River between Narrowsburg, NY, and Pond Eddy, NY. “We follow the National Park Service’s recommendations regarding the river,” said Lisa Hughes, general manager at Kittatinny’s Barryville, NY site.

At Lander’s Minisink Campground, manager Christina Vidal reported the loss of three sheds and extensive damage to the shower house located there. Owner Rick Lander described the flooding event as the worst he’s ever experienced. “We can’t even get to our Matamoras site yet,” Lander said last week. A second bathhouse was lost at the Lander’s Skinner’s Falls site.

At both facilities, some sections of the campgrounds were still being repaired, but camping was available in undamaged areas. “We’re really looking forward to rafting today and camping here tonight,” said Anthony Pannella of Middlesex, NJ, who brought his son, Anthony Jr., to Kittatinny Canoe’s Barryville location for an overnight trip. “I wasn’t sure if we should try to come up, with everything flooded. But I called and they said they’re eager for the business.”

Lander agrees. “The Fourth of July weekend was a huge loss,” he said. “We can’t afford to lose these weekends.”

All of the liveries expressed relief that river levels are falling quickly. Days later, most of the liveries were also renting kayaks and canoes, which require a higher skill level than rafts, to experienced boaters.

Despite considerable flooding in Matamoras, PA, Jeff’s Garden Shop was spared water damage due to its location in a bowl-like area in town. But like many other businesses, the flood left its mark in significantly reduced revenues when the town was closed. Ironically, owner Jeff Mance said he was watering thirsty plants when it was announced that the river was overflowing its banks.

Just across the bridge in Port Jervis, NY, Lynne Wallace, owner of Flo-Jean Restaurant, was hard at work in her red rubber boots, cleaning up the mess left by five inches of floodwater that shut down the Tollhouse Bar in the restaurant’s lower level. Exhibiting a survivor’s sense of humor, Wallace joked, “Since I got my boots, it’s flooded three times.”

Wallace isn’t wasting any time getting back to business. “The main dining room and deck are open, and our live music will continue. We’re starting a new karaoke contest on Fridays and we’ll be having a Caribbean Party.” Wallace expects the Tollhouse Bar to reopen before the end of July.

Around the corner at Gino’s Tavern and Restaurant, ongoing flood-related problems caused the business to be closed until July 12.

Farther upriver in Lackawaxen, PA, the Zane Grey Museum displayed a large sign on its front porch, reading, “Closed until further notice.” The historic structure, which normally houses items related to the life of the famous “Father of the Western Novel,” received extensive floodwater damage due to its location at the confluence of the Lackawaxen and Delaware Rivers.

“Water flowed under the foundation,” said Dave Forney, National Park Service Superintendent of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. Structural engineers have evaluated damage to the building and will provide a report on the building’s condition. It has not yet been determined when the museum will reopen.

According to Dorothy Moon, Cultural Resource Program Manager, a team of professionals from BMS CAT was brought in through Northeast Museum Services to clean up the mud, dry out the building and treat it to prevent mold bloom.

Museum items and archival documents were relocated to the curatorial storage area at Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, PA, for temporary storage to mitigate potential damage caused by moisture and mold.

In Livingston Manor, NY, Hot Corner Sports Collectibles, although seriously impacted by the flood, is gearing up for a move to a drier location at 2 Pearl Street, next door to the popular coffee house, Peez Leweez. The move will take place between July 18 and 22.

Not all businesses have been able to get back to work. In Roscoe, NY, a popular campground located along the Beaverkill River is unable to overcome the impact of flooding. A message on Twin Islands Campsite’s answering machine tells callers, “With the horrific flooding in the area, the campsite has suffered tremendous damage. Unfortunately, we will not be able to reopen. We thank all of our customers for all of the years of business. We will miss all of you very much.”