Governor Cuomo Letter To FEMA 7.6.17
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WXXI NewsGovernor Cuomo Letter To FEMA 7.6.17
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WXXI NewsState of New York
Executive Chamber
Albany 12224
Andrew M. Cuomo
GOVERNOR
July 6, 2017
Mr. Brock Long
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20472
Mr. John Rabin
Acting Regional Administrator
FEMA Region II
26 Federal Plaza, Suite 1307
New York, New York 10278
Dear Mr. Long and Mr. Rabin:
Under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5207 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR
206.36, I am requesting an expedited major disaster declaration for the State of New York as a
result of record water levels in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River that began flooding
shoreline communities on May 2, 2017.
Today, communities across eight New York counties continue to experience severe
flooding that has resulted in the destruction of breakwaters and bulkheads, erosion of protective
shoreline, inundation of wastewater treatment infrastructure, roads, and other critical
infrastructure, and damage to homes and small businesses. Those counties include Cayuga,
Jefferson, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wayne.
Forecasts indicate that water will continue to remain at high levels over the next month,
with no relief in sight for communities battered by 5-7 foot waves with every passing front. Any
sustained winds create pounding surf, which overwhelms and destroys both natural and man-
made protective barriers. Local economies dependent on seasonal waterfront and marine
activities have already been dealt a massive blow. Without federal support, thousands of jobs
and hundreds of businesses are at risk.
In response to the situation, I declared a State of Emergency on May 2, 2017, to assist
local communities that lack the resources to adequately respond to this ongoing disaster. I have
ordered the deployment of support teams composed of the National Guard, Department of
Environmental Conservation, Department of Financial Services, Department of Corrections and
Community Supervision, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Office of
Emergency Management, Department of Transportation, Office of Parks Recreation and
Historic Preservation, Office of General Services, and State Police. These teams are deploying
sandbags, dams, and other resources; expediting permit approval, insurance claim assistance,
contracting support; and providing technical advice to address erosion and loss of property and
business in the eight impacted counties. Our local first responders are providing continuous
support but have become exhausted by their heroic efforts.
State and local resources are overwhelmed by the continuing response efforts. I have
toured the area on multiple occasions and seen first-hand the damage incurred to date and the
infrastructure, homes and businesses teetering on the brink. I have determined that due to the
forecasted duration of this ongoing event, the incident is of such severity and magnitude that
effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and affected local governments, and
that supplementary federal assistance is necessary. I am specifically requesting:
Individual Assistance including the Individuals and Households Program, Disaster
Unemployment Assistance, Disaster Legal Services, and Small Business Administration
disaster loans for Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence,
and Wayne Counties.
Public Assistance for Categories A through G for Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Niagara,
Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wayne Counties.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide.
Below are some of the state resources that have been deployed to alleviate the
conditions of the disaster:
250 National Guard Soldiers for sandbagging operations
2 mobile command vehicles supporting coordination efforts in impacted counties
2,100 feet of aqua dam
1.6 million sandbags from state stockpiles
11 automated sandbagging machines
166 pumps of various sizes
I certify that State and local government obligations and expenditures for this disaster
request will comply with all applicable cost sharing requirements set forth in the Stafford Act. I
have designated Roger L. Parrino, Sr., Commissioner of the Division of Homeland Security and
Emergency Services, as the State Coordinating Officer for this request. He will work with the
Federal Emergency Management Agency and may provide further information or justification
on my behalf.
Thank you for your attention to this critical request.
Sincerely,
ANDREW M. CUOMO
