Governor Cuomo Announces New York State to Cover Local Share of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee Response and Recovery Costs for Hudson Valley Counties

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State will cover the local share of disaster response and recovery costs resulting from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in five counties in the Hudson Valley.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) usually covers 75% of eligible disaster response and recovery costs, and the remaining 25% is typically shared equally by the state and localities. Last week, the Governor announced that the state will make $61 million available to 25 counties to cover costs associated with emergency shelter, road, water system and infrastructure repair, stream and riverbed mitigation, and other clean-up projects. Today's announcement provides an additional $14 million to five counties in the Hudson Valley.

"Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee devastated parts of the state, and this money is to make sure localities are not hit with a one–two punch as they get back on their feet," Governor Cuomo said. "After these storms swept through the state, New Yorkers were the first to pitch in to help their neighbors and now, by covering local costs, the state is doing its part to help local governments rebuild and recover."

Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee caused widespread destruction across New York late last summer, marking one of the largest disasters in the state's history. The total storm recovery cleanup cost is expected to exceed $1.6 billion and involve approximately 15,000 separate response and recovery projects.

The state is able to cover the local share of costs through funding put in place by the Legislature and additional federal funds requested by the Governor.

Counties receiving funds include:

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer said, "Last year’s floods wreaked havoc on Hudson Valley towns and villages, leaving a hefty clean-up bill in their wake. These federal dollars will help ease the financial burden from those devastating floods. Towns and municipalities across the Hudson Valley will be able to continue rebuilding without putting serious pressure on local taxpayers."

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, "While there is federal funding available to help with storm recovery in the Hudson Valley, our communities are facing tough budgets and local residents should not be left footing the bill. I am pleased that the state will cover the local share of recovery costs. This is a critical step towards rebuilding our infrastructure and helping our families, businesses and communities to recover."

U.S. Representative Eliot Engel said, "Rockland and Westchester suffered greatly from Hurricane Irene and I worked hard to get the Federal Emergency Management Agency to bring federal resources to help the people devastated by the storm and flooding. I thank Governor Cuomo for his efforts to help the Hudson Valley counties. These costs would be a burden on local governments trying to rebuild their shattered communities."

U.S. Representative Nita Lowey said, "Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee caused severe damage to Westchester and Rockland County homes, businesses, and infrastructure. As local governments across our state face serious financial strain, it is great news that New York State will cover the counties’ costs related to emergency shelter, road, water system and infrastructure repair, stream and riverbed mitigation, and other clean-up projects. I commend Governor Cuomo for providing this vital relief and will continue working to ensure local governments have the resources they need to respond and recover to natural disasters."

U.S. Representative Chris Gibson said, "Ensuring that our local communities have the resources to recover from the devastating storms that hit New York last year has been my top priority. I have helped lead the bipartisan effort in Washington to secure the needed federal funding, and I applaud the Governor for today’s announcement that the State will bear the cost burden for our local counties in the Hudson Valley. Recovering from these storms will take all of our continued best efforts, and Governor Cuomo and his Administration have been strong leaders in this partnership."

U.S. Representative Nan Hayworth said, "New York State's help for our counties is welcome news for our families, businesses, and communities who suffered the impact of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. As the first member of New York's congressional delegation to have asked the President for additional emergency funding, I'm glad to work with Governor Cuomo and his team to help as fully as possible with ongoing recovery and rebuilding."

Senator Suzi Oppennheimer said, "I applaud Governor Cuomo for the focus he has provided on emergency management and response, particularly with respect to flood mitigation and repairs. The Governor's commitment has allowed us to maximize FEMA funding by marshalling state dollars to assist local governments that have been hard hit by recent flood damage."

Senator Bill Larkin said, "I applaud Governor Cuomo for recognizing that our municipalities could not bear the burden of paying for the damages caused by the floods of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. By picking up the local share, New York has eased the financial pain on local taxpayers and ensured that the projects in question will be completed."

Senator Steve Saland said, "Flood damage in 2011 wreaked havoc on communities across the State and severely strained local government budgets. Recognizing that municipalities were struggling to rebuild their damaged infrastructure with limited resources, we fought for state and federal aid to assist with their financial burden. Local tax relief has and will remain a priority and I commend the Governor for working to provide this much needed assistance."

Senator John Bonacic said, "It’s important that we provide our municipalities with assistance in their rebuilding efforts to those devastated by Tropical Storms Irene and Lee. I’m optimistic that with the State’s assumption of the local share of FEMA related recovery costs, our communities will have the opportunity to thrive once again. I thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership in making sure our communities get the assistance they need to get back on their feet."

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "Even though Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee hit many months ago, local governments receiving assistance from FEMA are still struggling to pay for the costs of response and recovery. By covering the local share of these costs, the State is providing significant relief to communities in Westchester and throughout the State. I was happy to support this measure in the budget, and I would like to thank Governor Cuomo for recognizing the needs of communities affected by these storms."

Senator Greg Ball said, "With this aid, we will be helping residents, taxpayers and small business owners who were devastated and are still suffering and trying to rebuild their lives. We will also be providing much needed mandate relief to local governments in a time when such relief is sorely needed."

Senator David Carlucci said, "Governor Cuomo deserves praise for his leadership, and helping to secure funding for rebuilding areas in New York that were hit by the worst hurricane in years. Rockland and Orange Counties finally get some much needed mandate relief, and will no longer have to worry about that cost hanging over their heads. State government stands with the people of the Hudson Valley as they rebuild their homes, and their futures."

Assembly Member Nancy Calhoun said, "I am extremely pleased with Governor Cuomo for delivering this tremendous news to local governments in Orange and Rockland Counties. This assistance will mean that the bill for the 25% share of repairs required by FEMA will now be marked 'Paid in Full.' Governor Cuomo's leadership and hard work once again ensure our counties, towns, and villages will receive the support they need from Albany."

Assembly Member Sandy Galef said, "With all of the storms that we have had in the region, we have had ongoing disaster recovery for communities, individuals and businesses. It is very significant that the State is assisting in all of the local rehabilitation efforts."

Assembly Member Aileen Gunther said, "With this flood relief funding announcement, New York State is telling our flood-ravaged areas that we are still here to help rebuild. This funding will provide additional support to these areas while minimizing the burden for local governments, a win for both our neighbors and our towns."

Assembly Member George Latimer said, "With this flood relief funding announcement, New York State is telling our flood-affected areas that we are still here to help rebuild. This funding will provide additional support to our communities while minimizing the burden for local governments, a win for both our neighbors and our towns. I applaud the Governor for his leadership and commitment to helping affected communities rebuild."

Assembly Member Annie Rabbitt said, "This financial support will save millions of dollars for our local towns and villages and provide much needed funding to help areas hit hard by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. I applaud Governor Cuomo for his hard work to answer the needs of New Yorkers affected by these devastating storms."

Assembly Member Ellen Jaffee said, "Our local communities have come together to repair what was damaged in last year’s storms, and I thank the state and Governor for being there at every turn. As the cost of rebuilding has weighed on local budgets, this funding could not come at a better time. I am grateful that the Governor has enabled this relief for our local governments and taxpayers."

Assembly Member Kenneth Zebrowski said, "It's great news for Rockland families that the governor was able to relieve our local governments from the additional costs associated with Hurricane Irene. Residents continue to need assistance in the aftermath of this storm and now thanks to the governor’s leadership property taxpayers will not bear the burden of these unforeseen costs."

Assembly Member Robert J. Castelli said, "Westchester County suffered a devastating impact from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Having State government cover the local portion of disaster repair is a tremendous help to communities across the Hudson Valley. I thank Governor Cuomo for responding to the needs of our communities. This crucial aid will help our local governments afford the repairs to our roads, bridges, and other infrastructure that was damaged during the storms, alleviating the cost of cleanup, which would otherwise become a burdensome unfunded mandate for our municipalities. We thank the Governor for his outstanding leadership on Westchester’s behalf."

Assembly Member Tom Abinanti said, "By covering the local share of costs, New York State is stepping in to give extraordinary relief to local governments that have struggled with the costs of rebuilding after the extraordinary damage caused by these storms. I thank Governor Cuomo for doing all he can to help our communities. I look forward to continuing to work together to help our residents and localities completely recover."