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Jun 21, 2007 5:36 pm US/Eastern
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Massive Flood Damage Displaces Roscoe Residents
One Confirmed Dead, Several Others Still Missing
by Tamsen Fadal
ROSCOE, N.Y. (CBS) ―
Just before noon Thursday, officials confirmed they recovered the remains of 81-year-old Frederick Shutts of Roscoe, N.Y. He was in his home when it was washed away by the flash flooding that left a trail of destruction along the southern edge of the Catskill Mountains on Tuesday night.
Four people are listed as missing. As the search and recovery mission continues near the town of Roscoe, work crews spent the night trying to repair the damage in the area. Dogs are assisting in the search efforts.
Sandy Kiakis' trailer was damaged along with her property. Her brother was among those who lost his home. She says Tuesday night was frightening.
"The fire department stopped up at the top of the driveway and told us to get out of here water was coming down Route 206," she explained.
"We are working in a three mile area here along Route 206 to make identification to see who else may be trapped and need to be recovered," explained Dick Martinkovic, Commissioner of Sullivan County Emergency Management.
Andrea Brown and her husband Jeff Lackey are now homeless. Their home is on Route 206 in the Delaware County town of Colcester.
It's much of that road that was washed away by Tuesday night's deadly storm.
"I really don't know how bad things are. But we'd really like to get home," Brown said.
Brown and Lackey told CBS 2 News that they had little time to escape with their lives.
On Thursday morning, one of their neighbors is presumed dead.
"The current was so strong, it was coming through the front door," Lackey said.
That current destroyed cars and homes in the area. Some of the houses were literally washed from their foundations, and several cars were swept away by the raging water.
One victim was discovered among the debris.
Due to the still dangerous conditions in the area, residents may not be allowed back into their homes for seven to 10 days. Many are hoping for federal aid because of the severity of the damage.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)