Trump administration denies disaster declaration for region's historic February blizzard, Hochul says

WASHINGTON — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced the Trump administration is denying a New York State request for a major disaster declaration related to February’s record snowfalls and cold temperatures.

The storm, called by some the blizzard of 2026, dropped most of its record-breaking snowfall within the metropolitan area on Long Island, exceeding more than 2 feet. New York City and the mid-Hudson Valley region were also hit hard.

But after months of waiting, and amid a heat wave, Democrat Hochul announced Thursday that, "President (Donald) Trump today denied our request," for a major disaster declaration related to the winter storm.

"We will appeal to ensure New Yorkers receive the federal assistance they deserve," Hochul said.

Representatives for the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday, but a FEMA spokesman on Friday responded to Hochul regarding the Trump rebuff, saying, "FEMA worked closely with the state of New York to collect and analyze damage information."

"The law and regulations require FEMA to review each request closely and consider the unique circumstances of disaster-caused damages as well as state and local capacity," the spokesman added. "This decision just like all disaster requests was based on policy not politics."

Following a natural disaster, local and state governments can request a federal declaration that could activate assistance for recovery, rebuilding and reducing future risks. The decision to issue a disaster declaration rests with the president.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport), who is chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, and who represents parts of Suffolk and Nassau County, did not immediately respond to a request for comment through a spokesman.

Hochul’s announcement did not provide more details of what the state was told, and her office did not immediately respond to a request for more information.

"Many areas of our state endured dangerously cold temperatures, high winds and record snowfall throughout the duration of the storm — some areas of Nassau and Suffolk Counties saw nearly three feet of snowfall in one day," Hochul’s statement said.

She added, "Our first responders, plow drivers, emergency management staff and local government partners put their lives on the line and worked tirelessly throughout the storm to keep New Yorkers safe.

"As a result, our State and local government incurred tremendous costs due to this historic storm," Hochul said.

The denial described by Hochul on Thursday follows other disputes between New York and the Trump administration over disaster funding.