Duffy to visit upstate flood victims

ALBANY -- As frustration has built in flood-ravaged upstate New York towns nearly two months after back-to-back tropical storms, Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy is visiting the sites to assess progress.

Despite state and federal officials' assurances of a quick recovery in the days after the flooding, residents have found private insurance didn't cover most of the damage and state and federal aid have been slow to come and less than expected.

Duffy traveled to Prattsville and Hunter in the Catskills on Monday, and plans visits to more areas later.

Still, state officials have said recovery is primarily a federal responsibility.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo had promised that Prattsville would be rebuilt better than before.

He now acknowledges recovery will take some time, but that the state is dedicated to getting residents back on their feet. -- AP