YULAN  — Sunday afternoon at 4:53 p.m., the Yulan Fire Department received an urgent call for assistance and was dispatched to the taxpayer bridge and dam construction site located at the intersection of Beaver Brook Road and Irishtown Road.

The call came as reports from flooding conditions that had emerged in the area. 

In a coordinated effort to manage the situation effectively, command issued orders for Lumberland’s resources, including their boat and necessary equipment, as well as those from Highland Lake, to stage in their respective quarters in preparation for deployment. 

Upon their arrival at the scene, both departments assembled for mutual assistance to address the flooding situation collaboratively. 

Also present at the location was the Sullivan County Division of Public Works (DPW), actively assessing the situation. 

The temporary cofferdam had failed, leading to a significant outpouring of water that cascaded onto the permanent concrete structure beneath it. The DPW foreman, alongside the project engineer, carefully monitored the water flow, conducting a thorough evaluation. 

After analysis, they determined that the current flow rate remained within established specifications. Furthermore, they confirmed that the permanent concrete dam was effectively performing its role, maintaining integrity and stability as designed.

“The County had last week poured in 500 cubic feet that makes up the new dam so that water wasn’t going anywhere,” said Sullivan County Undersheriff Eric Chaboty.

According to Chaboty there were tow houses downstream at risk. One abandoned and one unoccupied.

The unoccupied house had water rise to the lawn but receed with no other damage.