Orange County Legislature calls on FEMA to assist flood victims.
The Orange County Legislature Stands Strong for Flood Victims
The Orange County Legislature on Oct. 6 unanimously passed a resolution opposing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s recent denial of individual assistance to the July flood victims.
The resolution, introduced by Public Safety and Emergency Services Committee Chair Kevin Hines, calls for the state’s swift help to appeal the federal agency’s decision.
“Our residents face daunting financial burdens as they recover and rebuild,” Orange County Legislature Chairwoman Katie Bonelli said. “We stand strong and will continue to advocate for the Orange County residents impacted by July’s storm.”
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In early July, historic rainfall flooded the west portion of the county, with the epicenter Highland Falls area receiving as much as nine inches of rain in a day.
By the end of the month, about 1,300 people have called the county hotline to report flood damage, according to a recent public safety and emergency services committee meeting.
Nearby counties such as Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland also suffered flood damage.
On July 22, President Joe Biden made a presidential declaration to designate the regional flooding as a Major Disaster, unlocking federal aid to local governments and eligible nonprofits to cover expenses such as debris removal, road and bridge fixing, and water system restoration.
However, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Sept. 26 declined to activate the much-called-for aid to individual flood victims, citing the severity of the damage not being enough to warrant such assistance based on information collected from days of field visits.
According to FEMA, two primary factors determine the agency’s decision on individual aid: one being the state’s fiscal capacity and resource availability, and the other the size of uninsured loss.
Other considerations are the impact on community infrastructure, the profile of the disaster-impacted population, and disaster-related unemployment.
New York state has thirty days to appeal the denial.
If enough additional damage information was provided during the appeal process, there was a chance that FEMA might reverse the denial, according to the agency.
“We need Washington D.C. to do its job and provide this much-needed aid to our residents, including many who are still recovering from the storm,” said Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, who joined the legislature on Oct. 6 in opposing the denial.
New York Democratic Sen. James Skoufis, whose district encompasses most of Orange County, joined local elected officials on Sept. 29 to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to appeal the FEMA decision and, at the same time, to bump up the state assistance by another $3 million with no strings attached.
On July 18, Ms. Hochul made available a $3 million fund to assist Orange County flood victims who are homeowners and earn income at or below 80 percent of the area median; they must have also fully exhausted any insurance claims.
Each eligible household can receive up to $50,000.
Rep. Patrick Ryan (D-N.Y.), whose district covers Orange County, urged FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to reconsider the agency’s decision during a Sept. 20 Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee meeting.
“I want to thank you and the President for pushing to declare the disaster declaration and for working with a good team on the ground to start to get the public assistance flowing,” Mr. Ryan said to Ms. Criswell at the meeting. “But the No.1 question that I hear still in our offices is ‘Why have we not received an individual assistance declaration?’”
Ms. Criswell replied that her agency considered not only the impact of the disaster but also how much the state should be able to do before coming to any decision on individual assistance.
Aside from the government, local nonprofits came to the flood victims’ aid, including Samaritan’s Purse, Team Rubicon, and William Larkin Community Response Task Force Fund.
In August, the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors made available a $500,000 emergency fund to help Hudson Valley residents affected by the July flash flooding.
How is the Orange County government addressing the need for assistance in the budget proposal for 2024
L struggling to recover from the devastating floods,” Chairwoman Bonelli stated. “Our community needs assistance to rebuild homes, businesses, and infrastructure that were severely damaged.”
The denial of individual assistance from FEMA has placed a significant burden on the residents of Orange County. Many homeowners and business owners are still trying to clean up the aftermath of the floods and repair the extensive damage to their properties. Without financial assistance, they face mounting costs and limited resources to rebuild and recover.
The impact of the floods has been widespread throughout the county. Homes have been destroyed, roads and bridges have been severely damaged, and the water system has been compromised. The effects of the floods have also resulted in unemployment and loss of income for many residents. It is essential that the federal government acknowledges the severity of the situation and provides the necessary aid to those affected.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus has recognized the urgent need for assistance and has proposed a $923 million budget for 2024 to address the recovery efforts. This budget includes funding for infrastructure repair, economic development initiatives, and programs to support affected individuals and businesses. However, without federal assistance, the county’s ability to fully address the needs of the flood victims is limited.
The resolution passed by the Orange County Legislature highlights the importance of swift action from the state in appealing FEMA’s decision. It is crucial that the state mobilizes resources and advocates for the federal assistance that is desperately needed. The appeals process provides an opportunity to present additional evidence of the extent of the damage and the financial impact on individuals and businesses. This evidence could potentially change FEMA’s decision and provide the aid that the flood victims deserve.
The county government, along with local organizations and community leaders, continues to provide support and resources to the flood victims. However, the magnitude of the damage and the financial strain on the affected individuals and businesses require federal assistance. The Orange County Legislature stands strong in its commitment to advocating for the residents impacted by the July floods and will continue to fight for the aid they need.
In conclusion, the Orange County Legislature has unanimously passed a resolution opposing FEMA’s denial of individual assistance to the flood victims. The county government, led by Chairwoman Bonelli, is determined to stand strong and fight for the necessary aid to help the residents recover and rebuild. The state’s swift action in appealing FEMA’s decision is crucial in obtaining the federal assistance that is urgently needed. The Orange County Legislature remains committed to supporting the flood victims and will continue to advocate on their behalf until they receive the support they deserve.
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