The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
FEMA to reimburse for storm damage
Madison and Oneida counties could be in line for FEMA assistance following the Trump Administration issuing a Major Disaster Declaration for New York as a result of damages caused by Winter Storm Stella.
The declaration releases FEMA public assistance and hazard mitigation funds to cover emergency work, repairs and replacement of disaster- damaged facilities, as well as make long-term improvements to reduce the impact of future disasters.
Federal funds will nowbemade available to state and local governments, as well as certain nonprofit organizations, to reimburse costs incurred for emergencywork and the repair or replacement of damaged facilities. This funding is available on a cost-sharing basis; FEMA generally covers at least 75 percent of the eligible costs for permanent and emergency work. For projects funded through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Pro- gram (HMGP), the federal government can cover up to 75 percent of the eligible costs of each project. States may choose to develop an Enhanced State Mitigation Plan in order to receive an increased amount of up to 20 percent for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding.
“Communities across Upstate New York were devastated by this historic snowstorm, and these crucial funds are critical to their recovery,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, who alongside Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand pushed the disaster relief agency to make the declaration.
“Wemust always put all the necessary resources on the ground to help families and local businesses rebuild and get back on their feet,” said Gillibrand.
The state and local governments had more than $31.4 million in response costs and infrastructure damage validated as a result of the storm. A major disaster declaration for these counties is the next step in seeking financial assistance from the federal government once the $27.7
million damage threshold is met to allow local communities to continue to recover. Assistance includes funding for emergency protective measures, debris removal, and repairs to public infrastructure. At least three people died as a result of Stella. The heavy wet snow and strong winds downed thousands of trees, causing more than 17,000 power outages impacting tens of thousands throughout the state. At the governor’s direction, 1,400 members of the New York National Guard were deployed to assist in response efforts and local emergency responders reported roof collapses, including a community college athletic facility and several dairy barns. A mile long ice jam developed along the Salmon River in the Village of Malone flooding the local water treatment plant and causing residents to be evacuated from their homes.
“Extreme weather is quickly becoming the new normal and all levels of government need to reorient to best help those im- pacted by increasingly frequent storms,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “The state is committed to supporting every stage of the recovery process, and this declaration is critical to getting the assistance we need to help these communities move beyond this storm.” According to the National Weather Service, record or near-record snowfall rates were recorded during the storm. Record amounts of accumulation were measured in Broome County, which saw 36 inches in accumulation, and in Chenango County which saw 35 inches. Delaware County recorded near record snow fall amounts of 30 inches for the duration of the storm. Snow fall rates from this storm were as much as six inches per hour throughout the state.
The disaster declaration covers Albany, Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Orleans, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, and Ulster counties. All areas in New York state are eligible for assistance under HMGP.