Schoharie Creek, long a life force and source of the valley's bounty, could also bring destruction during extreme weather. The Old Blenheim Bridge withstood major storms and floods for many years, but on August 28, 2011, Tropical Storm Irene devastated the Schoharie Valley when a 500-year flood lifted the bridge from its abutments and swept its shattered remnants downstream. An iconic treasure that embodied the identity of the Town of Blenheim was gone, leaving a void in the hearts of the community.