Latest News
Aug. 29, 2022: Governor Hochul Announces Hurricane Ida Recovery Action Plan To Assist New Yorkers Impacted by Deadly Storm
December 5, 2021: Governor Hochul Announces Deadline Extension to Provide Hurricane Ida Relief to Excluded New Yorkers
December 1, 2021: Governor Hochul Announces Federal Disaster Assistance Now Available to Orange County Residents Impacted by Hurricane Ida Following Appeal to Federal Government
November 15, 2021: Governor Hochul Commits Up to $2 Million in Emergency Funding for Eligible Homeowners Impacted by Flooding From Hurricane Ida
October 20, 2021: Governor Hochul Secures Approval from Federal Government for Dutchess County Federal Individual Disaster Assistance
October 4, 2021: Governor Hochul Announces State Now Accepting Applications for $1.16 Billion in FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs
October 1, 2021: Governor Hochul Announces Opening of Disaster Recovery Center in Rockland County Following Approval of Amendment to Major Disaster Declaration
September 26, 2021: Governor Hochul and Mayor De Blasio Announce $27 Million Available to Provide Hurricane Ida Relief to Undocumented New Yorkers
September 24, 2021: Governor Hochul Announces Four Additional Counties Impacted by Ida Now Eligible for Assistance as Part of Federal Major Disaster Declaration
September 20, 2021: Governor Hochul Announces Help Available for SNAP Recipients to Replace Food Lost During Hurricane Ida
September 15, 2021: Governor Hochul Announces Opening of Two Disaster Recovery Centers on Long Island Following Approval of Amendments to Major Disaster Declaration
September 10, 2021: Governor Hochul and FEMA Announce Approval for Nassau County's Addition to Federal Disaster Declaration Following Damages Caused by Remnants of Hurricane Ida
September 9, 2021: Governor Hochul and FEMA Announce Opening of Disaster Recovery Centers
September 7, 2021: Governor Hochul Visits Storm Damaged Neighborhood in Flushing, Queens
September 7, 2021: Governor Hochul Joins President Biden to Visit Storm Damaged Neighborhood
September 6, 2021: Governor Hochul Announces Federal Approval for Major Disaster Declaration in Wake of Ida Flooding
September 5, 2021: Following Visits to Communities Impacted by Ida Flooding, Governor Hochul Signs Request for Expedited Major Disaster Declaration
September 3, 2021 Governor Hochul Provides Update on Storm Recovery Efforts from Staten Island
September 3, 2021 Governor Hochul Secures Emergency Disaster Declaration from President Biden after Tropical Depression Ida Devastates New York
September 3, 2021 Governor Hochul Announces New York State Gets Approval for Federal Assistance for Evacuation and Shelter Support Amidst Ongoing Storm Recovery Efforts
September 2, 2021 Governor Hochul Requests Federal Emergency Declaration for 14 Downstate Counties
September 2, 2021 Governor Hochul Recognizes Essential Workers for Heroic Service at Fresh Pond Bus Depot in Queens
September 2, 2021 Governor Hochul Provides Update on Storm Recovery Efforts from Long Island
September 2, 2021 Governor Hochul Takes Questions in Queens after Providing Update on Storm Recovery Efforts
September 2, 2021 Governor Hochul Directs State Agencies to Deploy Additional Assets Downstate to Assist Local Governments in Wake of Historic Storm and Flooding Event
September 2, 2021 Governor Hochul Directs State Agencies to Deploy Additional Assets Downstate to Assist Local Governments in Wake of Historic Storm and Flooding Event
September 2, 2021 Governor Hochul Declares State of Emergency in Response to Record-Breaking Flooding as a Result of Tropical Depression Ida
Federal Emergency Declaration
An Emergency Declaration can be declared for any occasion or instance in which the President determines federal assistance is needed. These declarations supplement State and local efforts in providing emergency services, such as the protection of lives, property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States. The total amount authorized for a single emergency is up to $5 million. Receiving an Emergency Declaration does not preclude the state from receiving a Major Disaster Declaration.
On September 3, Governor Hochul secured an Emergency Disaster Declaration from President Biden.
Federal Major Disaster Declaration
A Major Disaster Declaration provides a wider range of federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure, including funding for both emergency and permanent work. To obtain a Major Disaster Declaration, an accounting of damage is required and both the state and impacted counties each have thresholds that must be met in order to qualify for assistance. The state has an overall threshold of $30,036,058 and each county has its own threshold that must be met. State and local governments work directly with FEMA to assess damage as part of this process. At the request of Governor Hochul, these assessments will begin on September 3 and will be expedited.
On September 6, President Biden approved an expedited Major Disaster Declaration, requested by Governor Hochul on September 5. The counties covered by the declaration for public assistance include: Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, and Westchester. The following counties also qualify for Individual Assistance: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester.