LI eligible for FEMA funds for blizzard

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that Nassau and Suffolk counties are among the state counties eligible to receive federal disaster relief financial assistance stemming from the December blizzard.

Nassau and Suffolk, along with Staten Island and Rensselaer county, are eligible to receive 75 percent of the costs they incurred for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities, Cuomo said in a statement. The blizzard dumped more than 18 inches of snow across parts of Long Island.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will also reimburse the counties for emergency protective measures, including snow assistance, for a 48-hour period. The storm struck Dec. 26 and 27.

According to a statement from the White House, President Barack Obama signed the New York Disaster Declaration on Friday.

According to Cuomo, FEMA assessed Nassau and Suffolk's costs at more than $25 million, "an amount expected to climb as more jurisdictions report."

He noted numerous power outages and road closures; that as many as 168 ambulances were stuck in the snow in New York City and unable to respond to emergencies; and that at least two deaths were attributed to the disruption in emergency medical services.

Cuomo said state officials would "continue to press for additional relief for the enormous costs incurred during this storm."

SEE PHOTOSSnowstorms that buried LI over the past 100-plus years

FEMA said additional disaster declarations would be made if requested by the state and if further damage assessments showed they were warranted.