FEMA to give North Hempstead $1.2M for Irene

The Town of North Hempstead will be reimbursed more than $1.2 million by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, town officials and federal lawmakers said, for cleanup costs incurred after Tropical Storm Irene.

The payment covers 75 percent of the total losses the town claimed — about $2 million, said Tom McDonough, the town’s safety coordinator and director of emergency management.

So far, the town has already recovered nearly $70,000 from FEMA, McDonough said, in part for emergency measures put in place during the storm, including a notification system, street lighting and other personnel costs, such as overtime for animal shelter employees.

In a statement released by New York Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announcing the funding, Gillibrand said the town “experienced some of the very worst of Hurricane Irene.” Among the damage and debris, downed trees and broken limbs blocked roadways and covered sidewalks.

The town said it expects the state, and taxpayers, to equally defray the remaining 25 percent of the costs.

“That’s nice to have it come back into the town coffers,” McDonough said. “It brings it down to a realistic number for the town to be able to handle and pass along to the taxpayer.”

Above: North Hempstead Town Hall