Gov. seeks federal disaster assistance

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Following His Visit to Flood-Ravaged Region, Governor Requests Federal Aid for 10 Counties

Devastating Summer Storms Have Caused Tens-of-Millions of Dollars in Damage

Governor David A. Paterson today requested President Barack Obama to issue a major disaster declaration to provide federal recovery assistance to homeowners, renters, small businesses and communities in 10 counties following violent and devastating summer storms that began July 29, and continued through last weekend. Based on preliminary damage assessments that began Wednesday, Governor Paterson is seeking federal assistance for individuals and small businesses located in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Erie counties.

In addition to the request for federal disaster assistance for Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Erie counties, the Governor is also seeking aid for Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Genesee, Rensselaer and Sullivan counties based on the ongoing damage assessments. The joint federal-state assessments have just begun with local officials as they transition from storm response activities.

“People in New York are hurting and they need help. This week, I met with residents who have lost their homes, and they need to be assured that we are doing everything in our power to get them help, and get them help quickly,” said Governor Paterson. “We cannot wait for the entire federal damage assessment process to be completed before asking Washington to help flood ravaged communities and survivors. I want to thank Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Brian Higgins and Congressman Eric Massa for their support of this declaration.”

On Wednesday, Governor Paterson traveled to the two Western New York villages of Gowanda and Silver Creek, which were hit hardest by week’s storm. In addition to receiving situational report briefings from emergency management, the Governor met with displaced families and emergency responders.

“New Yorkers should be proud of the way our neighbors have responded to this crisis. The hard-working firefighters, law enforcement and other emergency personal, as well as volunteers I met deserve a great deal praise for the work they are doing,” Governor Paterson added.

Governor Paterson is seeking implementation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individuals and Households Program and Other Needs Assistance program for these counties. This assistance would provide grants for temporary housing and rental assistance, home repairs, and other disaster-related needs. The Governor also is seeking disaster unemployment assistance, and the maximum allowable assistance to individuals and businesses from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Federal and State disaster assistance covers basic needs that are not insured.

Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Denise E. O’Donnell said: “Anyone who has seen the devastation of the Southern Tier and spoken to the residents who are bravely trying to put their lives together can have no doubt that federal assistance is desperately needed. I join Governor Paterson in urging the federal government to extend a helping hand to the residents and businesses in these devastated communities.”

Governor Paterson also requested implementation of FEMA’s Public Assistance Program for those counties deemed eligible for such assistance. This program would provide 75 percent federal reimbursement for the costs of repairs to public infrastructure such as roads, bridges and public buildings damaged in the floods as well as for the cost of protective measures taken by local governments, and for debris removal. He also requested implementation of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Program.

The storms began Sunday afternoon and continued overnight, forcing the evacuation of a Gowanda hospital and hundreds of residents, the disruption of local water supplies, widespread power outages, and damage to scores of homes and businesses in addition to creating havoc to the network of State, county and local roads.

As floodwaters were still rising on Monday, Governor Paterson declared a State Disaster Emergency. He activated the State’s disaster response plan and ordered State agencies to provide all assistance possible, launching a massive State effort, dispatching hundreds of State agency personnel and hundreds of pieces of equipment to the flood-stricken areas. Activity continues in the State’s Emergency Operations Center in Albany, where nearly a dozen agencies are responding to and coordinating mission requests since its opening on Monday. On Wednesday, the Governor activated elements of the 152nd Engineer Support Company of the New York Amy National Guard to join in the massive State response.

At the Governor’s request, FEMA and the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) began the preliminary damage assessments in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties on Thursday to determine if federal assistance can be made available to individuals and communities. Damage assessments are also being conducted for the storms, which began July 29 and continued into early this week in the counties of Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Erie, Genesee, Rensselaer and Sullivan.

Governor Paterson earlier this week designated John R. Gibb, SEMO Director, as the State Coordinating Officer for this event. In that role, Gibb will coordinate the State response to support local governments as well as work with FEMA and other federal agencies.