Two months after record-breaking rainfall inundated the city and surrounding areas in late September, Gov. Kathy Hochul has requested a major disaster declaration from President Joe Biden to help fund ongoing recovery efforts.
The federal funds would allow the state to be reimbursed for the recovery expenses. To obtain a disaster declaration, the state works with FEMA and local governments to assess the cost of damage done in order to determine if it meets the threshold, which was $35.7 million as of September, according to Hochul’s office.
“Our state witnessed unprecedented rainfall in September that resulted in devastating flooding, causing extensive damage throughout New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley,” Hochul said in a written statement on Wednesday. “I’m requesting federal assistance to support our ongoing efforts to help New Yorkers recover as communities continue to deal with the fallout of this historic weather event.”
If granted, the declaration would unlock FEMA funding to cover the cost of debris removal, emergency protective measures and repairs to public buildings and infrastructure in the boroughs of Brooklyn, Manhattan and Nassau and Westchester counties.
The storm dumped more than 6 inches of rain across many parts of the city, grinding routine activities to a halt and prompting Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams to declare states of emergency.
Despite the MTA’s efforts to prepare, flooded subways and streets made for hellish commutes on Friday, Sept. 29. While the city’s schools remained open, many students didn’t make it to class due to the heavy rain. The downpour also flooded a migrant tent facility on Randall’s Island.
Biden previously issued a disaster declaration for a separate Hudson Valley flooding in July, one week after waters devastated roads and bridges in the area.
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