Governor Hochul Announces Emergency Assistance to Support Homeowners Impacted by the Remnants of Hurricane Debby

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced emergency assistance to support homeowners impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Debby. At Governor Hochul's direction, New York Homes and Community Renewal is launching an emergency repair program for homeowners in Allegany, Delaware, Franklin, Steuben, and St. Lawrence Counties impacted by the storm. Additionally, staff from the New York State Department of Financial Services will be deployed to impacted communities to support residents and businesses with financial services questions. As these state-based resources are deployed, disaster recovery experts from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services have begun working with their local counterparts to assess damage statewide in order to determine the state's ability to request federal disaster relief resources from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

"State agencies have teams on the ground helping to clear damage and we are working with our local partners as they begin damage assessments," Governor Hochul said. "We will continue to provide rapid relief for impacted residents and municipalities as these communities rebuild from the devastating remnants of Hurricane Debby."

Under the HCR program, Homeowners will be eligible for grants of up to $50,000 to fund or reimburse certain qualifying health and safety related repairs to address damage caused by the storm that are not covered by insurance or other disaster relief programs. Applicants must be homeowners who occupy the home as a primary residence and total household income may not exceed 100 percent of the county area median income. Homeowners in other counties may become eligible as state and local recovery agencies conduct damage assessments in the coming days.

The program will be administered by local partners who will work directly with affected homeowners and assist them with insurance claims, the repair and reconstruction process and reimbursement requests. Eligible homeowners interested in applying may inquire here.

Additionally, staff from the New York State Department of Financial Services will be staffing resource centers to support residents and businesses with financial services questions, including insurance information regarding policy coverage for losses. The Department is also extending the hours of its Disaster Hotline to provide similar support to those unable to visit a resource center. Impacted residents and businesses can call 800-339-1759. Exact locations of resource centers will be announced in the coming days.

In addition to these efforts, New York State agencies are continuing to provide the following support:

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
Public Assistance Staff from the Office of Disaster Recovery Programs remain engaged with impacted communities to complete damage assessments required for accessing federal disaster relief. Additionally, the State Fire Operations Center also remains activated to support state agency operations. as well as handle requests submitted via the State Fire Mobilization and Mutual Aid Plan. The Division is also continuing to provide communications support to first responders.

Department of Transportation
The State Department of Transportation is responding with more than 3,429 supervisors and operators. Bridge and road maintenance forces are patrolling state roadways and engaged in clean up and damage assessment operations in impacted areas. All residencies in impacted locations will remain staffed with operators, supervisors, and mechanics throughout the duration of the event and priority cleanup operations. NYSDOT is also providing damage assessment and bridge inspection assistance to local municipalities.

Portions of several state highways remain closed because of flooding or downed trees, including State Routes 36 and 417 in Steuben County, and State Routes 11, 345 and 58 in St. Lawrence County. NYSDOT crews are working to reopen the roadways as soon as conditions permit.

To assist with storm recovery efforts, two additional drainage crews (18 people) and eight additional damage assessment teams (20 people) are being deployed to the North Country to assist NYSDOT teams already in place. Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

• 1,406 large dump trucks
• 319 large loaders
• 88 chippers
• 88 wheeled and tracked excavators
• 30 traffic tower platforms
• 18 vacuum trucks with sewer jets
• 12 tree crew bucket trucks

For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit https://www.511ny.org/#:Alerts, New York State's official traffic and travel information source.

New York State Canal Corporation
Due to the storm, the following sections of the New York State Canal system are closed to navigation:

• Erie Canal between Lock E-8 in Rotterdam, Schenectady County and Lock E-15 in Fort Plain, Montgomery County
• Erie Canal between Lock E-24 in Baldwinsville, Onondaga County and Lock E-27 in Lyons, Wayne County
• Cayuga-Seneca Canal Lock CS-1 in Aurelius, Cayuga County
• The Canal Corporation will reopen these sections as conditions permit.
• Mariners and Canal stakeholders are encouraged to register to receive updates through the Canal Corporation's Notice to Mariners notification program by clickinghere.

Department of Financial Services
After contacting insurance companies, residents can get assistance with insurance information regarding policy coverage for losses and suggestions on how to document their losses and safeguard their property by calling the Department's Disaster Hotline at 800-339-1759. From August 12-16 the hotline will now include extended evening hours, and will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to help New Yorkers impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Debby, and Department of Financial Services staff will be deployed to affected communities to help residents and business

"We will continue to provide rapid relief for impacted residents and municipalities as these communities rebuild from the devastating remnants of Hurricane Debby."

Additional Resources for Victims, Advice for Dealing with Insurers
New Yorkers who have been impacted by flooding are encouraged to visit the DFS Disaster and Flood Recovery Resource Center for helpful information.

Other resources and advice for impacted families and businesses include steps to help ensure that claims are processed promptly, as well as information on how to file a complaint if policyholders cannot resolve disputes with insurers.

File Claims Promptly - Homeowners who experienced property losses are urged to file insurance claims with their insurers promptly and as soon as possible after losses occur. It is important to provide policy numbers if possible and all information relevant to the loss. To best document losses, homeowners should take photos or videos showing the extent of the losses before cleaning up damage.

Making Necessary Repairs - Homeowners should protect their property from further damage after a loss, but should make only repairs necessary to prevent further damage to property, like covering broken windows. Permanent repairs should not be made until after insurers have inspected losses.

Keep Records of Dealings with Insurance Representatives - Homeowners should cooperate fully with their insurers and keep a diary of all conversations with insurance representatives, including the representatives' names, as well as the times and dates of all calls or visits. They should also follow up in writing with representatives to document their understanding of any conversations they have had with the representatives.

Inventory Your Belongings - Provide your insurer with a detailed room-by-room inventory of damaged personal items and property. Include receipts, such as credit card statements or other documents showing the items' values.

Flood Damage - Homeowners are reminded that flood damage is generally only covered by flood insurance, which is a federal program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Homeowners who have flood insurance and have flood damage should make claims through that insurance. Additionally, homeowners should also read their policies carefully to make sure they understand what damage is covered and under what circumstances. For additional on flood insurance, please visit the Flood Insurance Resource Center on the DFS website at http://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumer/flood_info.htm.

Keep Your Receipts If You Relocate During Repairs - If you need to temporarily relocate while your home is being repaired, make sure to keep receipts and other records of your expenses during that time.

Filing Complaints - Homeowners unable to resolve disputes with their insurers may contact DFS to file a complaint at the following website location, http://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumer/fileacomplaint.htm. DFS investigates all complaints it receives.

Information on Homeowners' Insurance - Additional information can be found at the Homeowners Resource Center on the Department of Financial Services' website at: http://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumer/home_resources.htm.

Department of Public Service
New York's utilities have approximately 6,600 workers available to engage in repair, and restoration efforts across New York State as a result of Friday's severe weather event; which includes the following external contract workers: 500 external contract workers secured by NYSEG; 500 external contract workers secured by National Grid; and 60 external contract workers secured by Central Hudson. DPS staff continues to track utilities' work and ensure utilities shift additional staffing and resources to the hardest hit regions of the state as they repair the remaining infrastructure damage and restore all customers impacted by the storm.

Department of State
The Department of State is deploying staff from the Division of Building Standards and Codes to assist local officials with conducting building safety evaluations and assessments.

Thruway Authority
Thruway Authority staff is ready to respond to any flood related issues across the State with 671 operators and supervisors, small to medium sized excavators, plow/dump trucks, large loaders, portable VMS boards, portable light towers, smaller generators, smaller pumps and equipment hauling trailers, as well as signage and other traffic control devices available for any detours or closures. Variable Message Signs and social media are utilized to alert motorists of weather conditions on the Thruway.

Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

• 346 large and small dump trucks
• 63 loaders
• 34 trailers
• 6 vac trucks
• 13 excavators
• 7 brush chippers
• 100 chainsaws
• 22 aerial trucks
• 25 skid steers
• 86 portable generators
• 70 portable light units

The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download its mobile app which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to live traffic cameras, real-time traffic information and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway, follow @ThruwayTraffic on X, and visit thruway.ny.gov to see an interactive map showing traffic conditions for the Thruway and other New York State roadways.

New York State Police
State Police supported a DHSES request at the Binghamton/Vestal staging location and will supply a team consisting of 6 URT members, 1 airboat and 1 RHIB. Operations began Thursday night at 6:00 pm for 12-hour operational periods and conclude when no longer needed. State Police will be closely monitoring weather conditions and additional personnel will be deployed, as needed, to affected areas. State Police specialized vehicles, including four-wheel drive vehicles, utility task vehicles and boats are staged and ready for immediate response.

Department of Environmental Conservation
DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, Emergency Management staff, and regional staff are assessing critical infrastructure and areas impacted by the significant rainfall. Assets are deployed to assist with emergency responses in flood-damaged communities. Hikers remain advised to temporarily avoid all high-elevation trails and trails that cross rivers and streams. Hikers in the Adirondacks are encouraged to check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for updates on trail conditions, seasonal road closures, and general recreation information.

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
New York State Park Police and park personnel are on alert and closely monitoring weather conditions and impacts. State Parks has placed seven sawyer crews on standby to assist with storm clean up. Park visitors should visit parks.ny.gov, check the free NY State Parks Explorer mobile app or call their local park office for the latest updates regarding park hours, openings and closings.

Contact the Governor's Press Office