Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that the state has asked for federal money to help clean up the damage left by heavy rain and flooding last month across much of the state. Cuomo asked President Barack Obama to declare a “major federal disaster” for 26 of New York’s counties, including Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins, which would trigger financial assistance from Washington as municipalities and property owners continue to fix and assess damage. Rain and flood damage caused $38 million in infrastructure damage and debris removal across the state, as well as 14 destroyed homes with another nearly 1,100 having some wreckage, according to the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Counties and municipalities had been asked to tally their damage after the storms hit in hopes of qualifying for federal aid. Cuomo has also asked for FEMA to enact its Public Assistance program for 21 of the 26 counties, which would reimburse municipalities for 75 percent of the cost of debris removal, emergency response and repairs to public buildings, and for 15 of those counties — including Broome, Chenango, Cayuga, and Tompkins — the state has asked for the FEMA assistance for individuals who suffered damage to their home.
-Story Courtesy of The Press and Sun
