Federal funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be available in Westchester as the result of a declaration signed today by President Biden. Biden declared that a major disaster exists in New York state and ordered federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm and flooding from Sept. 28 to Sept. 30, 2023. The declaration provides shared funding for local governments and some nonprofit organizations in Westchester, Nassau and Kings Counties.
In announcing Biden’s action, the White House did not report a maximum dollar amount for the available federal aid. A spokesperson for FEMA told the Business Journal that there is no arbitrary ceiling and that the state generally prepares an area-by-area inventory of the work that needs to be done and the costs involved for FEMA to consider. FEMA generally pays 75% of the costs.
“We’re very pleased that President Biden has made the official authorization of a Declaration of Emergency because Westchester residents, business owners, homeowners suffered from that particular weather incident and flood,” Westchester County Executive George Latimer told the Business Journal. “The presidential proclamation opens the door for applications for FEMA reimbursement and we will try to help all of the local entities try to apply for that federal money that’s now available.”
Latimer noted that more severe weather incidents are now likely due to the effects of climate change.
“Many more intense rainstorms, many more intense floods — we have plans to try to engineer fixes to the problem but in the meantime when there’s a loss of property and damage it’s important that the federal government help people get back on their feet and this is a step in the right direction,” Latimer said.
The federal money can be used for the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm and flooding. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. The money can be used to help pay for debris removal, protective measures, and repairs to buildings and infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water and wastewater treatment facilities, critical infrastructure sites, schools, parks and other facilities.
Gov. Hochul had declared a State of Emergency for all of New York City, Long Island and the Mid-Hudson Region on Sept. 29, as heavy rain impacted the downstate region. More than eight inches of rain fell in parts of Brooklyn, and more than six inches of rain fell in parts of Westchester and Nassau counties during a 24-hour period.
The federal funds will primarily come through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. Ms. Lai Sun Yee, FEMA’s chief coordinating official in New York has been appointed to coordinate the federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
