Bishop asks FEMA to expedite approval for flood relief

Rep. Tim Bishop has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to expedite approval of the state's recent request to consider two storms in March as a single weather-related incident for disaster relief.

The potential funding would be spent on "pre-disaster mitigation," such as engineering solutions to the constant groundwater problems in some areas, and not directly to homeowners. The money could benefit many areas of Long Island besieged with flooding problems, most notably Smithtown and Horton Avenue area in Riverhead.

Bishop said he hoped by combining effects of the two storms, the region would be considered eligible for the funding under FEMA criteria, adding that Rhode Island and Connecticut were approved under such a scenario.

Last month, FEMA declared Suffolk County a disaster because of damage from the storm that began in mid-March. That declaration makes available funding only to municipalities and certain nonprofits, not individual homeowners and businesses affected by that storm. It also did nothing for the 13 homes on Riverhead's Horton Avenue badly damaged by the heavy rains and flooding that came at the end of March.

Bishop (D-Southampton) toured Smithtown homes earlier this week and heard residents' stories of flooded basements and ongoing mold problems.

He announced that the $1.5 million allocated in last year's federal budget from a transportation fund will be used for drainage projects in the Smithtown area, where flooding issues have existed since October 2005.

"There has to be an engineering solution," he said. If the FEMA money is not approved, he said he will ask for an earmark to pay for the work, but that would take as much as 18 months.

On Tuesday, Smithtown approved spending $500,000 from its reserves to continue the next phase of dredging the Nissequogue River, which would take place this summer. Town officials hope half the cost will be reimbursed by the county.

The first phase of dredging has already alleviated some of the rising groundwater problems plaguing the area, said Smithtown Engineer Ted Sanford.

Smithtown resident Eileen Cook told Bishop and other officials on the tour of homes that she runs a continuous pumping and draining system to keep water out of her basement. Her family has spent more than $15,000 to mitigate the issue, she said.

Last month, hundreds of homeowners attended a Smithtown town board meeting seeking aid, telling stories of children sick from mold and thousands of dollars spent to help keep their homes dry.

Homeowners can apply for loans to fix damage caused by flooding with the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance by calling 800-659-2955.