About Jak Krouse

Jak Krouse is a summer intern with Adirondack Explorer. He's a double major in journalism and geology at Washington and Lee University. Jak enjoys exploring the outdoors, going on roadtrips and hiking.

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  1. Pat McGuire says

    Great work by the road crews in Long Lake, but those of us living along Rte 28N between Shaw Pond and Fishing Brook are stranded, can’t get out either way and no stores or gas along that stretch… we know the highway crews are hard at work, just don’t forget us!! Thanks!

  2. Lee Nellis says

    It is predictable to hear the engineers talking about “hardening” the infrastructure, and that will surely be necessary in many cases. But as a planner, I gently remind everyone that we are in an era where relocation is going to be necessary to avoid massive, repeated costs. The settlement pattern of this region naturally followed the water, but it may have to begin migrating to the ridgelines. This is eventually going to impact homes, roads, etc. and perhaps most of all – as people begin to confront this – the attitudes of the affected communities and agencies.

  3. COL (R) Mark Warnecke says

    Excellent point Lee. For too many years we have built on or adjacent to flood plains and wetlands along our stream and river courses. Reduction in the surface area of these floodplains and wetlands along with channelization removes the natural ability to disperse and absorb runoff. Too much development in these areas also contributes to warming and pollution of our surface waters.

    I’ve always been a proponent of a one-time buy out for flood damaged properties. If the property floods, flood insurance and FEMA and other taxpayer funded assistance can only be used once. After that no more insurance or emergency funding for flood damage. This would save the taxpayers money in the long run, force no one out without compensation, restore riparian systems, and mitigate future flood risk. Those that chose to stay after a one-time flood insurance or emergency funding payment would be on their own, as would any future property owner.

    None of this is meant to distract from the hard and dangerous work of responder’s to floods.

  4. Tony Goldsmith says

    The economy of the Adirondacks is threatened by the damage done by the recent storms and by future storms doing more damage to recently repaired infrastructure. This requires the sort of response seen in Philadelphia, PA recently when I95 was damaged by fire. If the powers of the federal, state and local government are brought to bear with sufficient resources, it is reasonable to think that roads will be fixed, strengthened, and made ready for the next storm. Come on, governor. Be a leader!

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