Disaster Aid Welcome News For Local Taxpayers 

State and federal disaster experts to help local officials maximize reimbursements

Release Date: August 10, 2004
Release Number: 1534-001

» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Flooding

ALBANY, N.Y. -- With federal and state disaster aid now in place to pay for nearly 90 percent of the costs incurred by localities related to the severe storms that struck upstate New York in late May and early June, local taxpayers won’t have to shoulder the financial burden on their own.

President Bush authorized federal assistance August 3 under a major disaster declaration issued at the request of Governor George E. Pataki. Local governments and certain non-profit organizations in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Delaware, Erie, Herkimer, Ontario, Saratoga, Schoharie, Steuben, Ulster, Washington and Yates counties are now eligible to apply to be reimbursed for costs incurred in the wake of the storms.

Under the President’s declaration, federal funding is available to pay for 75 percent of approved costs for disaster-related expenses such as debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repairing, restoring or replacing damaged public facilities. The State of New York contributes an additional 12.5 percent and the applicant is responsible for the remaining 12.5 percent.

Disaster assistance may also be provided to repair, restore and replace facilities owned by certain private non-profit organizations that operate and maintain educational, utility, emergency, medical, custodial care and other essential governmental service facilities.

James W. Tuffey, state coordinating officer and Director of the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO), said, “The President’s authorization of federal disaster aid is welcome news for New York’s communities who have suffered repetitive damages from these ongoing storms.”

To help local communities and organizations apply for federal disaster assistance, federal and state disaster experts will conduct a series of applicant briefings in the declared counties, said Ted Monette, federal coordinating officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster recovery effort. A schedule of the briefings is attached.

“FEMA is committed to delivering disaster aid to the affected communities as quickly as possible,” Monette said. “To help this happen, local officials should gather their paperwork and attend one of the upcoming briefings to learn how to maximize the assistance they’re entitled to.”

The applicant briefings will be held according to the following schedule.

Delaware County
Thursday, August 12, 2004 9 a.m.
280 Phoebe Lane, Suite 3, Delhi, New York
For additional information: Nelson Delameter, (697) 746-9600

Ulster County
Thursday, August 12, 2004 2 p.m.
Shandaken Town Hall, 7209 Route 28, Shandaken, New York
For additional information: Art Snyder, (845) 331-7000

Herkimer County
Monday, August 16, 2004 2 p.m.
County E-911 Ctr., 71 Reservoir Road, Herkimer, New York
For additional information: Robert Vandawalker, (315) 867-1212

Saratoga/Washington Counties*
Wednesday, August 18, 2004 10:30 a.m.
County Fire Training Facility, 6010 County Farm Road, Ballston Spa, New York
For additional information: Saratoga County, Albert Dewey, (518) 885-2232
Washington County, William Cook, (518) 747-7520

Cattaraugus/Allegany/Chautauqua/Erie*
Thursday, August 19, 2004 10 a.m.
Robert Livingston Community Center, Town of Allegany, New York (Cattaraugus County)
For additional information: Cattaraugus County, Edward Koorse, (716) 938-9111
Chautauqua County, Julius Leone, (716) 753-4341
Allegany County, John Tucker, (716) 268-7658
Erie County, Dean Messing, (716) 858-8477

Cattaraugus/Allegany/Chautauqua/Erie*
Friday, August 20, 2004 9:30 a.m.
Fredonia Fire Department, 80 West Main Street, Fredonia, New York (Chautauqua County)
For additional information: See previous briefing above.

Schoharie County
Friday, August 20, 2004 1:30 a.m.
County Office Building, Main Street, Schoharie, New York
For additional information: Judy Carey, (518) 295-8344

* Joint briefing

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following a national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U. S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 11-Aug-2004 10:22:56