Orange County vs. FEMA

Officials in Orange County aren’t mincing words when it comes to their reaction to the decision by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) not to provide assistance to residents that were affected by the July storm that caused widespread flooding and other damage. In a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul dated Sept. 26, FEMA Assistant Administrator Anne Bink wrote that the agency had decided not to offer Individual Assistance (IA) to residents of Orange County as well as Ontario County in New York.

Bink told Hochul that the state had 30 days to appeal FEMA’s decision.

An estimated 1,300 Orange County residents had filed paperwork asking for federal assistance.

The Orange County Legislature quickly passed a resolution condemning FEMA’s decision.

“It is a sad commentary that we must even pass this resolution. We stand strong and will continue to advocate for the Orange County residents impacted by July’s storm,” said Katie Bonelli, chairwoman of the County Legislature. “Our residents face daunting financial burdens as they recover and rebuild. They are in urgent need of federal assistance to address the damage.”

Before passing its resolution decrying FEMA’s decision, the Legislature on Aug. 22 passed a resolution calling on federal and state officials to step up and help ensure that aid is made available to private individuals, businesses and farmers to recover from the flooding and other damage caused by the storm.

“We need Washington, D.C. to do its job and provide this much-needed aid to our residents, including many who are still recovering from the storm,” Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said. “It is disappointing that FEMA has failed us, denying Orange County flood victims IA, but they can still rectify this situation by stepping up to the plate and assisting these residents who have endured tremendous hardships.”

According to Legislator Kevin Hines, chairman of the Public Safety and Emergency Services Committee, “We are disappointed in FEMA, an organization that you would expect to be there for Orange County residents in a time of great need. Instead, FEMA has just walked away from us and ignored our pleas for assistance. We need our federal partners to do the right thing and prioritize helping Orange County residents who suffered significant hardships because of the storm.”

Especially hard hit by the July flooding were Fort Montgomery, West Point, Highland Falls, and Cornwall and farmland in the county.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office said they were disappointed by FEMA’s decision and were reviewing the state’s options