Legislation (S.842-B) sponsored by Senator Catharine Young
(R,C,I- 57th District), to provide local
governments in the impacted areas with reimbursement for the costs of damage
repair, manpower and other expenses directly incurred as a result of the
extreme flooding has passed the Senate.
“The flooding ravaged our community back in 2015,” said
Senator Young. “Our local highway
departments and emergency responders did an incredible job to protect against
loss of life and to restore services. However, many roadways, bridges, personal
property, home, businesses and municipal properties were still damaged and
destroyed, creating serious costs for repairs.
As a result, communities suffered a significant financial burden in
their local budgets from which they are still trying to recover.”
“The state has a history of assuming the costs incurred by
municipalities when the damage does not meet the requirements for federal aid
through FEMA. This has been done for other areas of the state such as the
victims of Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee, and the
same should be done now for our rural communities whose limited budgets aren’t
able to address these types of extraordinary needs while also continuing to
provide regularly scheduled work and services.
Two years later, we continue our efforts, and throughout the entire 2017
legislative session, I have again appealed to the Governor for this relief,”
she added.
The July 2015 flooding caused extensive damage, though the
fiscal impact fell well below the $25 million federal minimum. In Cattaraugus
County, the damage to municipal property, including road washouts and damaged
drainage and culvert systems totaled $899,664. In Allegany County, the damage
to municipal property, including road washouts and damaged drainage and culvert
systems totaled $700,840. Chautauqua County also suffered significant damage
across multiple municipalities, including damage to drainage and culvert
systems, road washouts, and damage to traffic control devices which totaled
$2,159,799.
“The state has the financial means to assume these one-time,
unexpected costs, which amount to only about $3.7 million. We can and should
provide this assistance. I strongly urge Governor Cuomo and the Assembly
Majority to join Assemblymen Goodell and Giglio in standing up for our rural
communities, so that we can preserve the best quality of life for area
residents,” Senator Young said.
