MAMARONECK, NY (CBSNewYork) – New York Governor Kathy Hochul reassures victims in Westchester County that every effort will be made to help them recover.
As CBS2’s Tony Aiello reported, the governor showed up with high praise for the volunteer first aiders who worked through the night under terrible conditions to rescue hundreds of people in flooded low-lying areas of the village of Mamaroneck.
READ MORE: Ida Death Toll: More than 3 dozen people killed as Flood Waters sweeps Tri-State; De Blasio announces new storm evacuation plan
She also came up with what she said was good news: a signed emergency statement and a firm commitment from the Biden administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide resources to help Westchester and New York City recover.
I gave a storm recovery update earlier in Yonkers, where flooding of damaged roads, caused mudslides, immobilized cars and led to the tragic loss of life in Westchester.
The clean-up continues and shelters are open. My entire team and I will be dedicated to helping all those affected. pic.twitter.com/3BD1DIKjIP
– Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) September 3, 2021
“There is a lot of pain in our condition right now and our hearts are going to them all,” Hochul said Friday. “We stand here committed to doing what we can to help their families, help their neighborhoods and, as the senator said, build resilience where we can to fight Mother Nature.”
The governor offered sympathy and a helping hand to flood victims. Dozens of small, family-owned businesses suffered devastating damage.
Frances Bailie (Credit: Iona College)
An epic cleanup is underway, and so is a heartbreaking search in Harrison.
READ MORE: Gov. Murphy Tours Ida Aftermath, New Jersey, Promises $ 10 Million to Flood Businesses
Authorities are trying to find Frances Bailie. She was in a car with her husband when they were caught in floods from Blind Brook not far from their home.
“The car went up the dam and I think they could not drive. So they got out of the car and as soon as they got out, the power took them and there was nothing they could do, ”said Harrison resident Dan Forrester.
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Bailie is the head of the computer science department at Iona College in New Rochelle, where her husband also works as a computer science instructor. His body was discovered Thursday, but hers has not been found.
Police searched the pool on Forresters’ property. The family experienced significant flooding, but keeps things in perspective.
“We can fix it and move on. It is the poor families who do not have that luxury, ”said Lisa Forrester.
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The college shared a quote from an alumnus who said: “Her role as a teacher exceeded the curriculum. She really wanted to teach us as human beings, not just as students. ”
Bailie is also remembered as a pioneer in computer science and got into it at a time when not many women chose that field.
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At the end of the day, it looks like the death toll in Westchester could reach four devastating losses from Ida.
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