Four Schoharie County government buildings sustained heavy damage in the wake of Hurricane Irene but recovery work has begun.
The flood waters from Irene poured into the basement and first floor of the county building on Main Street and water also damaged the health department, the department of public works and the jail, said Harold Vroman, chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
Right after the flood waters receded, cleanup and recovery work began, Mr. Vroman said.
The offices in the four buildings have to be cleaned before restoration work can begin.
The DPW, which got about four feet of water, on upper Main Street was already cleaned out as of Monday afternoon, Mr. Vroman said, though the offices will not be ready for a while.
Cleanup work has already begun in the basement of the county building and the first floor, which got about five feet of water, is almost cleaned out, he said.
County officials have contacted a company about saving the records in several offices, including the county clerk's office.
Those on the second and third floors of the county building were not damaged but cannot be accessed because of the damage on the first floor.
The jail was hard hit and got between nine and 10 feet on the first floor.
The inmates in the jail were moved to Albany County before Irene struck.
The 911 center on the first floor has been sealed off and the second floor is being used, Mr. Vroman said.
The courthouse, which is higher than most buildings on Main Street, sustained minimal damage.
The DAR was heavily damaged and part of the foundation collapsed, officials said last Tuesday. The building may be structurally unsound.
The cost to clean the buildings is estimated at $1.4 million and should be covered by flood insurance, Mr. Vroman said.
There is no estimate yet on the cost of the restorations. Flood insurance may cover most of the restoration work, Mr. Vroman said.
He did not have timeline on when county offices may begin to move back into their old locations.
Late last week, Middleburgh Supervisor Dennis Richards said he had heard that the county office building could be open in three weeks or less.