Work crews are continuing to slowly rebuild parts of Potsdam's downtown that were left with massive damage after being hit hard by last week's destructive windstorm.

The total cost of damages is still being tabulated. One of the big questions is how much of the widespread damage will be covered by insurance.

"It's really early to say and we've got a gut feeling that there is quite of damage out there that may be uninsured and we have to meet a threshold level for qualifications for the SBA (Small Business Administration) loans," said village administrator David Fenton.

"We're hoping once we get our figures tallied up, we'll be within that range."
 
The storm downed trees, utility poles and wires and extensively damaged or destroyed buildings.

While the community recovers, village officials say low interest loans may be available to help businesses and homeowners recover.
 
"We're looking at working with the Small Business Administration to try to get some low-interest loans that would help these folks, tide them over and perhaps get the businesses back on their feet and get some of these homes repaired," Fenton said.
 
Sergi's Italian Restaurant was one of the downtown businesses to be hit hardest by the storm, losing its roof to damaging winds.

Workers are currently in the process of cleaning out the building's interior, preparing it for the necessary repairs to get the back in business as soon as possible. 
 
For now, tarps temporarily cover the roof at Sergi's, but that will change next week when crews begin installing a new roof.
 
 "The biggest hinge-point is in the back corner of the building where there's structural damage," said Mickey Fiacco of Fiacco and Riley Construction.

"We're going to tear that down on Monday and start putting it back up," he said.
 
Meanwhile, village officials praised the quick response by fire and rescue volunteers, police, public works employees, utility and tree crews and others who they say helped restore stability during what could have been an even more dangerous situation.