Gov. Directs Over $800k in FEMA Funds to Babylon Village

Babylon Village will be receiving a much-needed boost to help cover the cleanup costs associated with Hurricane Sandy after Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the state has provided over $8 million to local municipalities.

The village will reportedly receive $832,604 in this first wave of FEMA reimbursement. Hurricane Sandy battered the Babylon coastline with a huge tidal surge, flooding homes mostly south of Main Street and knocking down hundreds of trees and branches as winds over 70 mph blew for nearly 24 hours.

“Superstorm Sandy left severe widespread damage across communities that were in its path,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement. “The impact was both physical and financial. Localities had to respond quickly after the storm to clean up the destruction and debris left behind, and the costs of doing so were overwhelming.

"As we continue to recover and rebuild, I am pleased to be able to direct these critical federal funds to reimburse those impacted by the storm."

In the aftermath of Sandy, Babylon Village had to rent equipment to help with the collection and removal of over 2,500 tons of construction debris and 1,600 tons of vegetative debris. The clean-up and removal was completed by the village's own work force, including the Highway Department.

Other local politicians lauded the release of funds to the village.

"I have been calling for this assistance to reach our communities as fast as possible and I thank and appreciate Governor Cuomo for heeding that call," said Assemblyman Joseph Saladino. "Babylon Village has spent an enormous amount of money protecting our residents and working to restore life to normal. I am very motivated to continue to work with Mayor Ralph Scordino to ensure that Albany delivers."

Senator Phil Boyle said villages and towns are struggling to make ends meet following the storm, but expected the money to help.

"I want to thank Governor Cuomo for securing these funds for the Village of Babylon, and am pleased that reimbursement funds will continue to come forth for other devastated communities as cleanup efforts continue."