Hempstead gets $1M for Sandy debris removal

Hempstead Village has been awarded more than $1 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency public assistance funding to reimburse the village for the cost of debris removal in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, federal officials said.

“This reimbursement for debris cleanup is critical in making sure that residents of Hempstead are not on the hook entirely for the expenses,” said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) in a statement.

FEMA awarded $1,042,271 to Hempstead Village for debris removal activities after village roads were strewn with downed trees, fallen branches and other debris. The reimbursement will go toward labor costs and equipment used to collect and transport 9,540 cubic yards of vegetative debris throughout the village.

“The Village of Hempstead suffered severe damage and its workers, officials and first responders worked tirelessly around the clock removing debris in the aftermath of the storm,” Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.