Nassau to get federal dollars for September flood repair following major disaster declaration
Heavy rains caused major street flooding on Peninsula Boulevard near Rockaway Turnpike in Lawrence on Sept. 29. Credit: Jim Staubitser
Nassau County will receive federal reimbursement for recovery and reconstruction efforts following a historic September storm that drenched parts of the region with more than 9 inches of rain, officials said Wednesday.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that President Joe Biden had approved her request for a major disaster declaration to provide federal assistance to three downstate counties — Nassau, Kings and Westchester — heavily affected by the Sept. 29 storm. The disaster declaration does not include Suffolk County, which also experienced significant flooding.
“I’m committed to securing every possible dollar of federal aid to help the people of New York,” Hochul said. “The major storm in September caused significant damage, and we’ll continue our efforts to help communities recover and rebuild.”
A major disaster declaration provides funding, primarily through FEMA's Public Assistance Program, to local governments, tribes and eligible nonprofits. The money can be used for debris removal, storm protective measures, and emergency work and repairs to buildings and critical infrastructure, including bridges, parks, roads, schools, water and wastewater treatment facilities among others.
Nassau County has requested roughly $15 million in reimbursement, an amount for all its municipalities. The Town of Hempstead alone is asking for $5.2 million, a spokesman said.
“We are grateful that the governor and Department of Homeland recognized the profound impact the storms had on Long Island and are addressing costs laid out by the various municipalities in the region,” said Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in a statement.
Federal funding is also available, on a cost-sharing basis with the federal government, for hazard mitigation measures across the state, officials said.
“Communities throughout the lower Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island were devastated by historic rainfall and flooding at the end of September,” said Jackie Bray, commissioner of the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, in a statement. “… These communities will now have access to the federal funding they need to support a strong recovery.”
The 24-hour storm that began Sept. 29 closed parkways on Long Island and a terminal at LaGuardia Airport. It forced the evacuation of a senior housing cooperative in Elmont and inundated New York City subways. An estimated 9.06 inches of rain soaked Valley Stream, with 8.89 inches at nearby Kennedy Airport, surpassing a record for September set during Hurricane Donna in 1960.
In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)credited the Biden administration for the declaration and said he would “continue working diligently on the recovery effort on Long Island, in Westchester, in Brooklyn, and for all New Yorkers impacted by this storm and others.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), also in a statement, added that “while the storm is behind us, the road to recovery starts now. And I look forward to seeing these federal dollars work to help our communities rebuild.”
Before the storm, Hochul declared a state of emergency for Long Island, New York City and the mid-Hudson region.
Hochul previously announced that low-interest disaster recovery loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration would be available to eligible residents and business owners in Nassau and Brooklyn affected by the flooding.
Homeowners are eligible for loans of up to $500,000 for repairs. Business owners are eligible for up to $2 million to replace real property, inventory and equipment. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans of up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property.
Nassau County will receive federal reimbursement for recovery and reconstruction efforts following a historic September storm that drenched parts of the region with more than 9 inches of rain, officials said Wednesday.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that President Joe Biden had approved her request for a major disaster declaration to provide federal assistance to three downstate counties — Nassau, Kings and Westchester — heavily affected by the Sept. 29 storm. The disaster declaration does not include Suffolk County, which also experienced significant flooding.
“I’m committed to securing every possible dollar of federal aid to help the people of New York,” Hochul said. “The major storm in September caused significant damage, and we’ll continue our efforts to help communities recover and rebuild.”
A major disaster declaration provides funding, primarily through FEMA's Public Assistance Program, to local governments, tribes and eligible nonprofits. The money can be used for debris removal, storm protective measures, and emergency work and repairs to buildings and critical infrastructure, including bridges, parks, roads, schools, water and wastewater treatment facilities among others.
Nassau County has requested roughly $15 million in reimbursement, an amount for all its municipalities. The Town of Hempstead alone is asking for $5.2 million, a spokesman said.
“We are grateful that the governor and Department of Homeland recognized the profound impact the storms had on Long Island and are addressing costs laid out by the various municipalities in the region,” said Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in a statement.
Federal funding is also available, on a cost-sharing basis with the federal government, for hazard mitigation measures across the state, officials said.
“Communities throughout the lower Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island were devastated by historic rainfall and flooding at the end of September,” said Jackie Bray, commissioner of the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, in a statement. “… These communities will now have access to the federal funding they need to support a strong recovery.”
The 24-hour storm that began Sept. 29 closed parkways on Long Island and a terminal at LaGuardia Airport. It forced the evacuation of a senior housing cooperative in Elmont and inundated New York City subways. An estimated 9.06 inches of rain soaked Valley Stream, with 8.89 inches at nearby Kennedy Airport, surpassing a record for September set during Hurricane Donna in 1960.
In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)credited the Biden administration for the declaration and said he would “continue working diligently on the recovery effort on Long Island, in Westchester, in Brooklyn, and for all New Yorkers impacted by this storm and others.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), also in a statement, added that “while the storm is behind us, the road to recovery starts now. And I look forward to seeing these federal dollars work to help our communities rebuild.”
Before the storm, Hochul declared a state of emergency for Long Island, New York City and the mid-Hudson region.
Hochul previously announced that low-interest disaster recovery loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration would be available to eligible residents and business owners in Nassau and Brooklyn affected by the flooding.
Homeowners are eligible for loans of up to $500,000 for repairs. Business owners are eligible for up to $2 million to replace real property, inventory and equipment. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans of up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property.
Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.
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