OSWEGO – Today (Nov. 14), President Donald Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of New York and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by flooding from May 2 to August 6, 2017.
Federal funding is available to the state and to tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding in the counties of Jefferson, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wayne.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Brock Long, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, named Seamus K. Leary as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
Statement From Senator Charles Schumer
“This is a massive and well-deserved shot in the arm for many lakefront counties that we fought long and hard to secure. It will provide federal funds for many counties hit hard by the relentless lake flooding, but we will keep up the pressure until we secure the same support for both Monroe and Cayuga Counties. Residents along Lake Ontario dealt with record-high lake levels and it has caused them to close businesses, caused damage to homes and eroded shoreline protections. This is great news for Jefferson, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence and Wayne counties giving them the crucial funds they need to recover,” said Senator Schumer. “I am pleased FEMA heeded our calls by agreeing to help affected communities; rest assured I will keep pushing to get the same designation and support for Monroe and Cayuga so that all counties affected by Lake Ontario’s high waters get the funding they need and deserve to get back on their feet.”
Barclay Applauds Disaster Declaration
Assemblyman Will Barclay released the following statement today (Nov. 14) after it was announced that the President has declared areas along Lake Ontario shoreline a federal disaster.
“I am pleased that President Trump has issued a disaster declaration for several counties impacted by flooding along Lake Ontario including Oswego and Jefferson counties. As a result of the disaster declaration, federal funding will be made available to the state and local communities to provide repair and replacement work. I applaud the efforts of our federal representatives and I look forward to learning more about what types of work will be eligible for FEMA funding. It is my hope that with the combined state and federal funding, those along the lakeshore who have suffered substantial damage can make necessary repairs and take measures to mitigate future flood damage. I continue to call on the IJC to revise its 2014 plan to take into account the concerns of property owners along the southern and eastern parts of Lake Ontario.”
Ritchie Applauds Federal Disaster Decision
State Senator Patty Ritchie is applauding the announcement that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared a federal disaster in wake of the historic flooding of Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River communities earlier this year.
The declaration, which includes Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Oswego counties, allows federal funding to be made available to the state, local municipalities and certain not-for-profit agencies for the cost of emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by flooding.
“As heartbreaking as this spring and summer has been for our shoreline communities, it is just as painful to know that they are still struggling, doing everything they can to try and pick up the pieces of this devastation,” Ritchie said. “As I continue to fight for the recovery of everyone in our shoreline communities, I want to thank FEMA and our federal representatives, especially Congresswoman Stefanik who I know advocated strongly for this declaration, for recognizing the importance of making sure we continue to get each of the affected municipalities the help they so desperately need.”
Earlier this year, Senator Ritchie sponsored the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence Seaway Flood Relief and Recovery Grant Program that provided $45 million in funding to impacted year-round and seasonal homeowners, small businesses, farms, not-for-profits and municipalities.
It was recently announced that everyone who was eligible for funding and applied for it, would receive help.
The declaration also comes after Senator Ritchie co-hosted a special Joint Hearing in Oswego County on the flooding with Senator Tom O’Mara, Assemblyman Will Barclay and Assemblyman Bob Oaks.
The nearly five-hour hearing included testimony from various stakeholders, including homeowners and business owners, state agencies and local officials about the historic flooding event, the damages they suffered, the work they did to help neighbors in need and their concerns for the future.
Representatives from the government bodies that regulate water flows, including the International Joint Commission and the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board, also provided testimony.
It was also a chance for the Senators and Assemblymen to ask questions of the witnesses that will be included in the official record.
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