By Hank Russell
President Joe Biden approved a request from Governor Kathy Hochul for a federal emergency declaration for Suffolk County from the record rainfall that occurred on August 18-19. The president’s action authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the storm.
As previously reported in Long Island Life & Politics, Hochul signed an executive order declaring a Disaster Emergency for Suffolk County following record rainfall last week that resulted in severe flooding to homes, businesses and institutions, damaged several state and local roads, and caused the breach of two local dams. Hochul also announced that she will submit a request for a federal Emergency Declaration from Biden to support response and recovery operations in Suffolk County.
Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program, will be provided at 75% federal funding for Suffolk County.
Under an emergency declaration, direct federal assistance is available, which authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures including actions to protect critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges, water control facilities, utilities, and mass transit facilities.
With this Emergency Declaration secured, New York’s disaster recovery experts are continuing to work with local and federal partners to determine the state’s ability to also request a federal Major Disaster Declaration and low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
An Emergency Declaration can be declared for any occasion or instance in which the president determines federal assistance is needed. These declarations supplement state and local efforts in providing emergency services, such as the protection of lives, property, public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the U.S.
Extremely heavy rainfall and widespread flash flooding ravaged Suffolk County starting August 18, and continued through the morning of August 19, leaving a trail of destruction that led to multiple swiftwater rescues, severely damaged roads, major road closures, dam failure and flooded residences and buildings that required evacuations.
“Extreme weather hit Suffolk County families and communities hard this month and I commend the hardworking damage assessment teams on the ground who provided information to secure this important federal disaster assistance,” Hochul said. “I thank President Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell for their continued support in helping Suffolk County residents get the assistance they need.”