Communities in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties
received significant damage during the July 2015 storm. Culverts and roads were heavily damaged,
costing local governments and taxpayers millions of dollars since the weather
event was not widespread enough to qualify for a FEMA disaster
declaration.
Since then, Senator Young has passed the relief package
multiple times, but it had not been taken up by the Assembly. She successfully pushed to include it with
Lake Ontario flooding assistance in a comprehensive bill that wrapped up the
legislative session this week.
"I didn't give up on getting this done since it is so
important,” said Senator Young. “Our
local property taxpayers need relief from the heavy price tag to fix our
damaged infrastructure. This funding will give communities the resources they
need to alleviate this burden while ensuring safety for the people who live
there. I applaud the Governor for
approving this sorely-needed assistance.”
In Cattaraugus County, the damage to municipal property,
including road washouts and damaged drainage and culvert systems totaled
$1,016,047. In Allegany County, the
damage to municipal property, including road washouts and damaged drainage and
culvert systems totaled $1,600,840. 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
$4,332,265.
