Schumer, Gillibrand Call On FEMA To Stand Ready To Quickly Approve Disaster Declaration If Requested And Support Upstate New York Communities Impacted By Major Storms &[...]

Schumer, Gillibrand Call On FEMA To Stand Ready To Quickly Approve Disaster Declaration If Requested And Support Upstate New York Communities Impacted By Major Storms & Tornadoes This Week

Jul 17, 2024

Heavy Wind, Rain And Reported Tornado Touch Downs Bombarded Upstate New York This Week -Causing Ripped Off Roofs, Washed Out Roadways, Thousands Of Downed Trees & Power Outages Across From Western NY To The Finger Lakes And The Mohawk Valley & From The Southern Tier To The North Country

Schumer, Gillibrand To FEMA: Mobilize And Stand Ready To Approve Any Requested Aid By New York State

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to stand ready to approve any New York State request for a Major Disaster Declaration after devastating rain & wind storms, including reported tornadoes, tore through communities across Upstate New York. The senators said the extreme storm and reported tornadoes led to significant damage and dangerous conditions, including power outages for thousands of families, downed trees and more.

"New Yorkers have weathered a barrage of extreme storms and tornadoes this week and FEMA must stand ready to process any potential request from New York state regarding disaster assistance. This past week and last night, extremely high winds ripped through Upstate NY, devastating communities, ripping off roofs, damaging homes, businesses, and creating a scene out of the movie Twister," said Senator Schumer. "Thousands of our friends and neighbors lost power with some still waiting for it to be restored. Across Upstate communities sustained severe damage to infrastructure, thousands of downed trees and damaged power lines, and, should the state hit the threshold, we need FEMA to be ready to provide all the support needed to help communities recover. FEMA must stand ready to swiftly approve any potential requests from New York state for assistance to weather and recover from this storm."

"This week's storms have devastated communities across New York, particularly in the Mohawk Valley and Central New York. As severe weather continues, FEMA must stand ready to approve a disaster declaration as soon as possible if the governor requests it in order to unlock federal aid and jumpstart the process of rebuilding. I'm committed to supporting affected New Yorkers in any way possible in the coming days and weeks." Said Senator Gillibrand.

The senators explained that severe thunderstorms brought flash flooding and more reported tornadoes less than a week after other storms brought similar impacts. Tragically, one death in the Village of Canastota was linked to these storms. Floyd and Rome faced what appeared to be tornado touchdowns, with Rome seeing wind gusts up to 79 mph that brought down trees, blocked streets, collapsed the roofs and walls of homes and businesses, damaging some and destroying others. Fallen and uprooted trees knocked down power lines across the region, cutting electricity access to over 170,000 New Yorkers yesterday. Earlier this week Western and Central New York saw severe thunderstorms and a tornado touched down in Erie County causing extensive tree and home damage. In the North Country and Southern Tier, severe wind and rain, bringing flash flooding that covered and even washed out some roads.

If a disaster declaration is requested and declared, grant assistance would be made available to state and local governments, as well as certain non-profit organizations, to reimburse costs incurred for emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged facilities. This funding is available on a cost-sharing basis; FEMA generally covers 75 percent of the eligible costs for permanent and emergency work. After any severe storm, the first step in the declaration process is for the state to request a Preliminary Damage Assessment, during which FEMA representatives join state, local, and other officials to survey damage across storm-impacted counties to help determine whether the cost of the disaster meets the criteria for a federal disaster declaration. Schumer and Gillibrand urged FEMA to be prepared to support any requests for aid from New York State.

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act authorizes the president to issue "major disaster" or "emergency" declarations before or after catastrophes occur. The decision to issue a disaster declaration is at the discretion of the president, and must be requested by the governor of the state. These declarations unlock federal aid through FEMA that is broken into two broad areas: Individual Assistance (IA) that aids families and individuals, and Public Assistance (PA) that is mainly for emergency work such as debris removal and permanent repairs to infrastructure. When assessing the degree of PA damage, FEMA considers six factors: estimated cost of the assistance, localized impact, insurance coverage, hazard mitigation, recent disaster, and programs of other federal assistance. Regarding the cost, FEMA has certain thresholds that have to be met to qualify for PA specific to the state and the counties in question.

A copy of Schumer and Gillibrand's letter appears below:

Dear Administrator Criswell:

We write in strong support of communities in New York as they begin the recovery process following the severe storms that brought tornadoes and flash flooding to various Upstate communities. We urge the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to stand ready, if requested, to work with affected counties and New York State to respond to the impacts of these weather systems and if the state requests it, to make assistance available through a disaster declaration as expeditiously as possible.

On July 10, 2024, Western and Central New York saw severe thunderstorms and a tornado touched down in Erie County causing extensive tree and home damage. Lewis County faced severe wind and rain, bringing flash flooding that covered and even washed out some roads. Homes and businesses were damaged and over 26,000 customers lost power.

As these communities began recovering from this weather system, on July 16, 2024, parts of Central New York, the Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, and North Country were hit with more severe thunderstorms that in some cases brought flash flooding and more reported tornadoes. Tragically, one death in the Village of Canastota was linked to these storms. Canandaigua had a confirmed tornado touch down while Floyd and Rome also faced what appeared to be tornado touch downs, with Rome seeing wind gusts up to 79 mph that brought down trees, blocked streets, collapsed the roofs and walls of homes and businesses, damaging some and destroying others. Other Upstate areas saw significant damages, including damaged or destroyed buildings, major roadways being impassible after downed trees blocked the way, and the Lewis County Fair was shut down due to flash flooding. Fallen and uprooted trees knocked down power lines across the region, cutting electricity access to over 170,000 New Yorkers yesterday. As the storm tore through the region, residents were advised to stay home and limit travel when possible. On the evening of July 16, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide State of Emergency due to the consequences of this weather system. As these storm systems have affected New Yorkers across much of the state, we urge FEMA to stand ready to participate in a Preliminary Damage Assessment with state and local officials, should the state request it.

We are grateful for the prompt attention that the federal government has historically given in responding to disasters impacting New York State. In that spirit, we strongly urge you to approve any forthcoming requests for FEMA assistance from New York State as affected communities begin their recovery from this storm.

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