Less than 48 hours after massive flooding forced the evacuation of residents in Port Jervis and Deerpark, a cleanup effort is underway Friday.

The state of emergency was lifted and the cities are pumping water back into the Delaware River. Residents came back home to assess the damage caused by the floodwaters. Many were relieved it wasn?t as bad as it was in other communities. Water levels, which many in Port Jervis feared would exceed the city's worst flood in 1955, dropped 2 feet from its crest on the Delaware River from 21 feet the night before.

Officials say residents affected by the flooding should check for structural damage before entering their homes. They also advise homeowners to turn off gas lines, let the house air out and throw out any medicines or food that were exposed to floodwater.

Related Information: NYS Department of Health FEMA State Emergency Management Office Red Cross Salvation Army U.S. Environmental Protection Army