Obama gives Nassau, Suffolk 'major disaster' status

President Barack Obama on Friday declared Nassau, Suffolk and four other downstate counties "major disaster areas," from the March nor'easter, whose torrential rains and 50-mph winds toppled thousands of trees, left hundreds of thousands of residents without power, flooded roads and damaged beaches.

The declaration makes available unspecified amounts of recovery money, to be distributed mostly to state and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations, under the direction of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Gov. David A. Paterson requested the declaration March 29, saying, "while the State continues to do everything possible for the residents affected by this devastating storm, we need federal disaster assistance to help these communities recover." He said the money would go for debris removal and repairs to public property and "hazard mitigation measures to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life or property from natural disasters."

Both Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and Nassau Executive Edward Mangano welcomed the federal assistance last night.

Preliminary statewide estimates put the total damages to public property, including beach and road damage, at $85 million. Paterson said in March the state Insurance Department had logged more than $45 million in claims from homeowners to damages to their property.

FEMA says a "major disaster" is any natural catastrophe or fire, flood, or explosion the president determines causes such severe damage it warrants major disaster assistance to supplement efforts and available resources of states, local governments and disaster relief organizations.

It can include assistance for individuals but it was unclear Friday if Paterson's request included help for individuals.