Governments in Westchester and Rockland counties have received $35,338,879 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) public assistance grants to help with the cost of response to superstorm Sandy last October.
U.S. Rep Nita Lowey, D-Westchester/Rockland, made the announcement.
Communities in Westchester County have received $26,410,990 in FEMA public assistance grants.
Communities in Rockland have received $8,927,889.
Local governments continue to apply for funding and additional grants are expected in the coming months.
“While much progress has been made, the recovery for many Lower Hudson Valley homeowners and businesses continues,” Lowey said. “We must also continue to invest in our infrastructure so that our region is better prepared for future disasters.”
Lowey is the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee and spearheaded the bipartisan effort to pass the full assistance package.
FEMA”™s Public Assistance program reimburses state, tribal and local governments for the cost of emergency responses.
Lowey also shepherded to fruition FEMA’s policy to increase its reimbursement to  communities through the public assistance program from 75 percent to 90 percent, expanding the overall amount of aid available. President Obama approved the plan in May to apply retroactively, so that all eligible communities, including those who had already received aid, are reimbursed for 90 percent of their costs through the program.
“The city of White Plains is fortunate to have an effective and astute representative in Washington in Congresswoman Lowey,” said White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, one of a half-dozen municipal leaders from both sides of the Hudson River to praise Lowey”™s Sandy recovery efforts. “She has assisted us in securing over $1.7 million from FEMA to help the city recover from superstorm Sandy. This includes reimbursement for city police, fire, public works, and sewer and water expenses incurred directly as a result of the storm.”
“Only days after the storm, Representative Lowey stood with us in Piermont amongst the debris and vowed to help get our village and our businesses back on their feet,” said Piermont Mayor Chris Sanders. “We have received almost $200,000 in relief to cover the initial clean-up effort and are pleased that we”™ll receive additional funding for this work. We are also looking forward to the much-needed mitigation funding to help pay for projects that will protect Piermont from the damage from future storms. After eight months since the storm, our collective focus turns to rebuilding Piermont better, stronger and smarter.”
