Hochul Requests Federal Aid For Storm Recovery

ALBANY, NY — A request for a major disaster declaration is on its way from New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul to President Joe Biden.

Hochul made the request Friday to support the ongoing recovery of communities impacted by devastating flooding caused by this week’s heavy rainstorms.

If granted, this declaration would release critical federal financial assistance that will support recovery and reconstruction efforts in Albany, Clinton, Dutchess, Essex, Hamilton, Ontario, Orange, Oswego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland and Westchester counties, with the opportunity to add other counties in the coming weeks as the damage assessment process continues.

Hochul is also requesting federal support for homeowners in Orange and Oswego counties, as well as an expedited damage assessment process.

New York will also be engaging with the United States Small Business Administration to pursue low-interest recovery loans for impacted private businesses in the coming weeks.

Hochul said her administration is no stranger to extreme weather events and the weather of the past week has shown the state not only needs federal help to recover, but government leaders at all levels to prioritize making the infrastructure more resilient.

“I have spoken with the White House, our senators and FEMA leadership about the need for a swift approval of this disaster declaration, so we can help New Yorkers recover quickly and efficiently,” she said.

A major disaster declaration secures financial assistance from the federal government, primarily through FEMA's Public Assistance Program, to provide funding to local governments, tribes and eligible nonprofits for debris removal, protective measures and repairs to buildings and infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water and wastewater treatment facilities, critical infrastructure sites, schools, parks and other facilities.

Following a disaster, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services' Disaster Recovery Unit works directly with counterparts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and impacted local governments to assess damages caused by, and costs related to, the disaster. Once these assessments are complete, FEMA validates whether the state and impacted counties have reached the required federal damage thresholds for a major disaster declaration.

From July 9 through July 10, more than 8 inches of rain was reported in parts of the Mid-Hudson Region, causing devastating flooding, closed and collapsed roadways and damaged and destroyed infrastructure.

SEE ALSO:

• HV Flood Timeline July 9-10: People Trapped, Flooded Vehicles, Roads Collapse
• 1 Dead, Tracks & Roads Closed, More Rain Coming
• Hudson Valley Flood: Torrential Rain Damages Passenger, Freight Tracks
• East Fishkill Recommends Evacuation For Carol Drive Residents
• HV Floods: AG James Warns Consumers About Possible Price Gouging
• Identity Of Woman Who Died In Flash Flood Confirmed By Authorities
• Major Problems On Hudson Valley Roads Monday
• Day, Lawler Tour Stony Point Flood Damage
• Hudson Valley Flooded: Town-by-Town Rainfall Totals
• Flood Damage: Putnam Declares State Of Emergency