North Blenheim was practically an island after Irene struck, and remained one--only one road in--late last week.
But despite homes and their landmark covered bridge destroyed, residents face the future with resolve even while difficulties continue.
Flush on the banks of Schoharie Creek, the hamlet's seen numerous floods, though none like Irene's.
Rising water ripped up pavement and carved away soil from around home foundations and left nearby Bear Ladder Road clogged with silt and uprooted trees.
"It was chaotic," said Blenheim Highway Superintendent Gerald Felter. "People tried to get out but couldn't. The water came up too fast.
"We didn't know who was here and who wasn't. We had to get food and water in, and we had to try to figure out what to do. Everyone was in shock."
The creek receded on Monday, revealing damaged cars, overturned sheds, destroyed homes and debris everywhere.
Route 30 along the creek was washed out, and only ATVs could get through. A bit north, the road was completely closed by the Mattice Farm.
Even on Thursday, the only way to reach North Blenheim was by North Road from Jefferson.
A few places were relatively spared. Although he lives in the center of the hamlet, Mr. Felter's home had only water in the basement because sits slightly higher than others.
Ron Harris had his basement flooded and two feet of water on the ground level, but the house stood.
Still, by Thursday noon, he hadn't been home since leaving four days before.
"This is the closest I've been," Mr. Harris said while stopping at the Blenheim Post Office. "I'm just glad everyone's safe. We'll assess the damage and see where we go from there."
The post office had 22 inches of water but lost only a half-dozen pieces of mail, according to Postmaster Sarah Palmer.
But others didn't fare so well and relief seemed slow, possibly because Blenheim was difficult to reach afterwards.
"Things are good now after a slow start," said Blenheim Fire Chief Barb Mann. "We had a hard time getting the resources we needed--bulldozers, everything."
The National Guard and contractors arrived, partially rebuilding Route 30, clearing away rubble and opening Bear Ladder Road.
The Guard took on smaller jobs, too. On Thursday, one soldier was swabbing out post office boxes.
"These nice fellows from the national Guard came in and helped so much," Postmaster Palmer said.
Ms. Mann agreed.
"The military's been a great help," she said. "And MidTel's been wonderful. They got 911 service back right away."
But three days later, other help wasn't coming right away.
"We're finding it quite difficult to get resources," said town Supervisor Bob Mann. "We seem to be the lowest on the priority list."
Although debris has been hauled out to the roadside, there are no dumpsters to get rid of it.
"Getting it picked up is quite a challenge," Mr. Mann said.
By Sunday, Route 30 was opened to emergency vehicles and Bear Ladder was open, as were all town roads, Mr. Mann said. Also, most homes had power returned.
And then there was the covered bridge, built in 1855, such a Blenheim trademark that a drawing of it is on town trucks.
The bridge survived every flood but this one; only the abutments are left.
Mr. Felter's wife saw the bridge go, and friends of Mr. Harris saw it floating downstream.
"It's really terrible about the bridge," said Mr. Mann. "We knew some day it would happen, but we thought that it was way out in the future. I didn't think it would happen on my watch."