A river runs through Corning Animal Shelter
As Burch Creek overflowed its banks on the northern borders of the Corning Animal Shelter during the recent storms, it created a swift torrent of water that surged through the shelter's pens, training facilities and parking lot.
"This isn't the first time this has happened," said shelter caretaker Debbie Eaglebarger. "It happens almost every year, but this time it was especially bad and dangerous."
As the rain poured down and the water rose up, Eaglebarger, volunteer Pat Panko, Community Service Officer Tatia Dawley, and Tom Watson of the police department, worked to move 15 dogs from the submerged outside pens to the shelter's aging indoor facilities.
"During the storms on Wednesday and Monday cars and even trucks couldn't get in because the water was flowing so fast and high," said Eaglebarger, referring to last week's storms. "That is why they had to bring the sandbags on the tractor."
After the water receded the work of cleaning up inches of mud out of the dog pens began.
"It was unbelievable," Panko said. "We have been able to put some of the dogs back in the outside pens but not all of them because of the damage."
She feels since the shelter is a city facility, and city service, funds should be found in the budget to make sure flooding from the overburdened creek doesn't happen again.
Police Chief Tony Cardenas said city staff is very aware of the problem and is trying to come up with some solution.
"We all see and feel the urgency," he said. "We saw photographs of the recent flooding and damage and this week have been talking about ways to resolve the issue."
Eaglebarger doesn't believe the City Council is wholly aware of the big picture.
"We wish they could have seen how bad it was," said Eaglebarger.
Mayor Gary Strack said Thursday he didn't know about the recent flooding at the shelter.
"I will probably be told through regular city memos we receive on Fridays," he said.
Both Panko and Eaglebarger appreciate the support they do receive from the city.
"I'm not complaining," said Eaglebarger, founder of Second Chance Pets, a nonprofit animal rescue organization. "The community and city have been really supportive of many of our efforts, but something has got to be done about this problem."
As the shelter caretaker and volunteer walked around the shelter's parking lot assessing the damage they see gaping furrows and holes caused by the rushing water.
"It's going to take some work to get this fixed," Eaglebarger said. "And I understand more storms are on the way."
