Dutchess, Orange, Putnam and Rockland Counties are among those named in a disaster declaration issued by President Biden on Saturday. The declaration said 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 severe storms and flooding that took place from July 9 to July 10.
The White House explained that federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding in the counties of Clinton, Dutchess, Essex, Hamilton, Ontario, Orange, Putnam, and Rockland. Federal funding also is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
The White House said that Lai Sun Yee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the affected areas. It said that damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of federal assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.
According to Gov. Kathy Hochul, the counties named in the disaster declaration now have access to financial support for debris removal, emergency protective measures and repairs to public buildings and infrastructure. Hochul’s office said that New York also has engaged with the U.S. Small Business Administration to try to arrange for low-interest recovery loans to be made available for impacted businesses. Further assistance to individuals and additional counties across the state still remained under federal review after the disaster declaration had been issued.
