6-inch rainstorm damages homes in Lewis County

Lewis County is among the hardest-hit areas in New York state from the remnants of Hurricane Beryl, which tore through parts of upstate New York on Wednesday, spawning seven confirmed tornadoes and causing significant damage in the village of Lowville.

Like many others in the state, it was a turbulent time for Lowville homeowner Chuck Dibble.

“I spent the night tossing and turning in bed,” Dibble said. “I didn’t know how we were going to fix this. Then people came.”

Dibble had been following the storm from his home in the north of the country, watching it move from one region to another. Unfortunately, his neighborhood was not spared.

According to the National Weather Service, Lowville received more than six inches of rain.

“All of a sudden it started pouring rain. It poured. I had prepared the ground well and I thought I was doing well, but we are in the lowlands and there is a lot of high ground behind us.”

Lowville resident Stephen Malone was also affected.

“So we took our pumps out and the water started boiling in that area. Then the ground collapsed because there’s a storm drain that runs right under that house and goes all the way to the school,” he said, describing sinkholes and a basement full of valuables that were gone.

Dibble suffered heavy losses, but was helped by his neighbors.

“There were nice living quarters in the basement,” Dibble said. “We had a king-size bedroom down there. There was a shower down there, a washer and dryer. There was a living room down there. There was a couch with a TV, a playroom for the kids.”

Despite the difficulties, he was grateful.

“It’s a blessing that my wife and I are still healthy and the house is still there. I can’t believe the neighbors stepped up and came to help us,” Dibble said.

A dozen of them helped him and his family.

“These people here in Lewis County, here in Lowville, I mean, it’s like a big family. Everybody helps each other,” he said. “We’re grateful for what we have. We have our losses, but they’re just material things. They can be replaced.”