Cleanup continues in New Lebanon after dam burst flooded town

Cleanup continues after major flooding affected several people living in the Columbia County town of New Lebanon on Thursday.

Town Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling declared a state of emergency on Thursday, after major flooding near Main Street.

A cleanup day with volunteers and community members was set for Saturday, July 1, beginning at 10 a.m. Volunteers can meet at New Lebanon Town Hall.

This all happened when a beaver dam in the Pittsfield State Forest in Berkshire County broke. The water then spilled into a nearby pond, causing that pond to overflow, sending water rushing down the mountain and into town, she said.

Houghtling is now looking into state and federal funding to help with the cost of damage.

Houghtling has been the town supervisor for three and a half years. She’s never seen anything like it, she said.

If you were affected and still need help getting water out of your basement, you can contact the fire department, she said.

The good news – no one was hurt.

Property owners who still need to contact the town can call (518) 505-1535, or supervisor@townofnewlebanon.com to be added to the cleanup list.

Take a look at some of the damage by watching the video of Caitlin Irla’s story.