Schoharie residents remember Tropical Storm Irene on 12th anniversary

It’s been 12 years since Tropical Storm Irene swept through the Capital Region with damaging winds and extensive flooding.

One of the areas hit the hardest was Schoharie County. Residents witnessed the damaging effects of Irene as businesses and homes throughout the County were submerged under water.

Some describe it as a wall of water that caught them by surprise. They recall hearing sirens warning them to evacuate. The aftermath resulted in all the businesses totally wiped out and about 75 percent of homes deemed unlivable.

As residents reflect back on all the damage caused, twelve years later, they say the storm of 2011 brought the tight knit community even closer, and they’re looking to expand by welcoming new comers to move in and help their community grow even more.