Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday asked President Barack Obama to declare a major federal disaster for 26 counties in New York, including Saratoga, Essex and Warren, which suffered through heavy rains and flooding since April 26.
“The seemingly never-ending rains and ensuing flooding have caused severe damage and losses in many corners of the state,” Cuomo said. “While state agencies continue to do all that is possible to assist the impacted areas, I am asking President Obama for federal assistance to help our citizens and their communities on the road to recovery.”
The request from the governor follows an evaluation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with state officials, which estimated that the weather created a need for more than $38 million worth of infrastructure repair and debris removal. The damage to private property affected 1,060 residences, destroying 14 homes and leaving 218 others with major damage that for the most part was not covered by insurance.
Cuomo has also urged FEMA to initiate its Hazard Mitigation program, which will cover 75 percent of the approved expenditures by state and local governments to prevent long-term risks from similar disasters.
Categories: Schenectady County
