UPPER JAY, NY -
The sound of construction vehicles could be heard along the Ausable River Tuesday in Upper Jay, New York.
"It's an early Christmas present. Things are starting to happen," said Town of Jay Supervisor Randall Douglas.
Crews worked on clearing debris left behind more than a year ago when Tropical Storm Irene came through and flooded the river.
Massive piles of trees, trash and other items remain scattered along the area.
It's something local leaders wanted to pick up sooner but couldn't find the money to do it.
"FEMA didn't go along with it. So we had to find other avenues," said Douglas.
Douglas says they were able to get half-a-million dollars from New York State.
County leaders say the grant money is a good start but they still need millions more to pick up all the debris.
For now they're starting in Upper Jay and will move to neighboring towns, including the old "Land of MakeBelieve" amusement park.
Leaders say they have to do this because if they don't another storm could do even worse damage than was caused by Irene.
"It's going to be a start in the right direction until we can start to find more funding from the state, the federal government or what we can afford in our little township," said Douglas.
The project is expected to take six weeks to complete.
Although, it will take many more months and possibly years before the rest is cleaned up.
