Nearly two years after Hurricane Sandy’s winds, rains and storm surge wreaked havoc across New York, hospitals, schools, roads and tunnels have been restored, renewed and made more resilient thanks to more than $5.5 billion federal dollars awarded by FEMA’s Public Assistance program.
FEMA Public Assistance is supporting the restoration of New York’s storm-damaged infrastructure by providing grants to state and local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations to restore facilities that provide critical services New Yorkers rely on.
Among the facilities receiving FEMA funds:
More than $1 billion for the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) for repair of substations, overhead electric transmission and distribution lines, and replacement of electric meters. Additional mitigation measures including strengthening transmission/distribution lines and elevating substations will help keep the power flowing to LIPA’s 1.1 million customers.
Approximately $400 million for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for repair, replacement and hazard mitigation of damaged elements of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel and Queens Midtown Tunnel. FEMA is providing funds to raise the height of the flood walls at the toll plazas, elevate equipment and other measures to make these vital arteries, used by millions, stronger and more resilient.
$982 million to New York University’s Langone Medical Center to restore damaged buildings at the NYU Langone Medical Center and for mitigation measures designed to protect it from future storms.
As work continues on these initiatives, additional funding is expected to be awarded for an array of projects throughout the affected areas.
To learn more about FEMA Public Assistance in New York, visit: fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit and dhses.ny.gov/oem/recovery.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.