New York State has braved several recent storms, including Sandy, Irene and Lee. Central New Yorkers have had to contend with flooding along the Mohawk River, most recently at the end of June. Now, federal and state officials have opened the floodgates of funding, which will allow money to flow into the coffers of stricken communities.
U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced Wednesday that a dozen flooded upstate counties will receive $5 million in federal aid for road and infrastructure repair via the Federal Highway Administration’s quick release emergency relief program.
Additional federal funds will be used in those counties for which Governor Andrew Cuomo requested a federal disaster declaration, including Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida and Warren.
Cuomo was in western New York on Tuesday to explain the "Mohawk Valley and 2013 Upstate Flood Recovery Program," which will provide $16 million in state money to help residents and small businesses rebuild. Under the Flood Recovery Program, homeowners and renters can qualify for up to $31,900 to replace or repair damaged property. Farmers and small businesses that suffered losses qualify for up to $50,000.
New York State will continue to accept claims for storm damage until the end of August. Cuomo again paid credence to climate change. Assemblyman Pete Lopez, a Republican from the 102nd district, is pressing on with his Schoharie County-based Flood Resiliency Initiative.
Also this week, Cuomo announced that $200 million is available to fund requests from healthcare and human service providers and other community-based organizations following the impact of Superstorm Sandy.
