Read Higgins' letter to the President

BUFFALO, N.Y. (RELEASE) - Congressman Brian Higgins has formally requested a federal disaster declaration for the flood-ravaged Southern Tier and the National Guard is already joining the relief effort.

The following is a copy of the letter sent to President Obama.

Hon. Barack Obama

President of the United States of America

Dear Mr. President:

I write today to respectfully request a presidential disaster declaration for areas in Western New York which were inundated earlier this week, and that this declaration provide for assistance under both the Public Assistance (PA) program and the Individual Assistance (IA) program.

Yesterday, I toured the extensive damage at the Silver Village mobile community in Silver Creek, NY. There, approximately 35 residences were made uninhabitable. In that mobile community, more homes than not were torn off of their foundations and several were flipped on their sides, completely collapsed or washed away altogether. There I met Barb Amrozowicz, whose courage and quick thinking in waking, evacuating and accounting for her neighbors undoubtedly saved lives. I was heartened to see the resilience of the survivors of this devastation but saddened by the awareness that they had just lost, in many cases, virtually everything they owned.

I also walked down Oliver Place, Rix Place and Dana Place in the Village of Silver Creek, NY. There, I met with neighbors who were cleaning up mud and debris despite their homes having been condemned in many cases. I met with families whose homes represented the bulk of their savings and who were facing resultant financial losses from which they would not likely recover.

I was also briefed by elected officials and emergency service personnel regarding the widespread devastation in the Village of Gowanda, NY. There, homes, businesses and municipal facilities suffered extensive damage as the raging waters of the flood-swelled Cattaraugus deposited thick, slimy alluvial sediment throughout much of the village’s downtown area. Flood damage was suffered in numerous other nearby communities, including but not limited to the town of Brant, Sunset Bay, Hanford Bay, the town of Kiantone, the town of North Collins and the City of Jamestown.

In my survey of the damage, I was universally impressed by the professionalism, determination and coordination of the first responders and municipal leaders I encountered. I was encouraged by the determination and resilience of the residents of the flooded areas whom I met. I was also pleased to see that the federal government was actively engaged in the early stages of recovery through the active participation of personnel from the United States Coast Guard Sector Buffalo in the recovery effort yesterday.

I understand that teams from FEMA and the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) will tomorrow begin conducting damage assessments in the effected areas. Data from these assessments will inform a formal request for a declaration from the State of New York to the federal government.

Having witnessed this devastation firsthand, I anticipate, and will encourage, that the state’s formal request will include a request for both PA and IA aid, and I again respectfully request that this aid be granted to these hard-hit communities.

Thank you very much for your leadership and your consideration.

Sincerely, 

Brian Higgins

Member of Congress