What began as a warm and tranquil August morning in Bath, New York, quickly turned into ravaging storm. Tropical Storm Debby unleashed powerful winds and relentless rain in upstate New York, including the southern tier region of Steuben, Allegany, Broome, and Delaware Counties. Within hours, floodwaters engulfed the home of Dorothy (“Dody”) and Keith Putman, giving Dody and her grandson only moments to save as many important household items and cherished memories as she and her grandson could, before moving to higher ground.

In the days and weeks that followed, the Putman's and their family members walked the muddy grounds around their property, finding photos and personal items scattered along their yard and the creek bed—small reminders of a life abruptly turned upside down.  Their home was not located in a flood zone and the cost to obtain flood insurance was cost prohibitive, so not only were most of their household possessions destroyed in the flood, but their home was a near total loss.  They had no choice but to move into a camper on their property because their house was condemned. 

News of the Putman's’ loss and living situation reached USDA Rural Development from one of their regional loan packaging partners, Arbor Housing and Development. Instead of viewing the devastation as an ending, staff from USDA and Arbor Housing helped the family begin a new chapter. Through USDA’s Disaster Assistance Fund, along with financial support from Arbor Housing, United Way, NYS Resilient and Ready Storm Recovery, and the NYS Affordable Housing Corporation, Mr. and Mrs. Putman applied and qualified for various sources of grant assistance that could help them creatively afford to rebuild their home safely, affordably, and sustainably.

Together, the Putman's, Arbor Housing, and USDA coordinated contractors, funding partners, and local officials transformed the damaged two‑story home into a raised ranch designed for resilience. The original upper floor was salvaged, elevated, and converted into secure living space. What had once been the first floor is now a protected garage and storage area built with flood‑resistant concrete walls and pass‑through garage doors that allow rising water to flow through without causing catastrophic damage.

As the foundation walls went up, Dody’s confidence rose with them. When Keith and Dody crossed the threshold of their rebuilt home in the spring of 2026, they knew they were not simply returning to the life they once had—they were stepping into a future built on strength, partnership, and preparedness.

This coordinated effort between USDA and Arbor Housing enabled the Putman's to design a home that is safe, resilient, and built to withstand future storms.

“Without the help from USDA and Arbor Housing, we would have never been able to rebuild our home… They were total life savers,” Mrs. Putman shared. “They worked effortlessly and compassionately to help us achieve our dream of remaining in our home that we worked so hard to purchase. They assisted us in finding contractors to replace everything we needed to make our home whole again.”

The Putman family didn’t just rebuild—they created a stronger foundation for the future, along with a renewed sense of security and confidence that they are prepared for whatever challenges come next. Together, they know that they can truly weather any storm. 

To learn more about this and other programs offered by USDA Rural Development – we invite you to visit us online at: www.rd.usda.gov/NY.