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Letter to President Joe Biden - Schumer, Gillibrand Push President Biden To Swiftly Approve Disaster Declaration Following Severe Flooding From Tropical Storm Fred In Upstate NY

Letter

Date: Sept. 22, 2021
Issues: National Security

Dear President Biden:

We write in strong support of the State of New York's request for a major disaster declaration for the widespread damage and flooding caused by heavy rains on August 18, 2021 and continued until the morning of August 19, 2021.

This severe storm caused significant damage across Upstate New York, including sustained damage leading to displaced residents, uninhabitable homes, the closure of schools, destroyed roads, and the tragic loss of life. A joint federal, state, and local Preliminary Damage Assessment revealed that costs exceeded $36.2 million in public infrastructure damage.

Reflecting the statewide damage from these heavy rains and flooding, Governor Kathy Hochul requested a major disaster declaration on September 17, 2021, pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 93-288), including Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs statewide and Public Assistance for Allegany, Cayuga, Cortland, Lewis, Oneida, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates counties and Individual Assistance for the Individuals and Households Program including Other Needs Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Disaster Case Management, Disaster Legal Services, and SBA Disaster Assistance for Steuben County.

There is no doubt that this damage has overwhelmed state and local governments, and that a major disaster declaration is necessary. Federal assistance programs will be critical, so that our communities can recover from the flood damage. We thank the Governor and the State for their work thus far and strongly support the request for a major disaster declaration in the areas impacted by this storm event.

We appreciate your swift attention and consideration of this request and stand ready to work with you and the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency to deliver support and resources to the impacted communities.

Sincerely,


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