Bishop urges fast track of disaster relief

April 1, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Tim Bishop sent a letter to President Obama and Federal Emergency Management Association Director Craig Fugate urging expedited approval of New York State’s request for a federal disaster declaration for Suffolk County following the severe storms of March 13th-15th, 2010. The declaration would also apply to Nassau, Orange, Richmond, Rockland, and Westchester Counties.

“I fully support New York State’s request for a federal emergency declaration to provide assistance to local governments, families and individuals in the state. It is vital that we not only repair the damage, but provide hazard mitigation to ensure that New York residents and their property are protected from the compounded effects of future storm damage,” Congressman Bishop wrote.

A federal disaster declaration would enable the counties to receive federal funding to help defray costs estimated in excess of $85 million for repairing shorelines, infrastructure, and public and private property. For many communities, the recent disaster exacerbated damage from the November nor’easter which was a previously approved federal disaster.

The full text of the letter follows:

March 31, 2010

Dear President Obama and Administrator Fugate,

I write to urge you to expedite approval of New York State’s request for a federal disaster declaration for Suffolk, Nassau, Orange, Richmond, Rockland and Westchester counties following the severe storms of March 13th – 15th that resulted in substantial flooding, beach erosion, and wind damage.  A federal disaster declaration will make those communities hardest hit by the storms eligible for much needed federal aid to assist with the rehabilitation of damaged assets and mitigate hazards resulting from the recent storms.

The damage to New York communities resulting from this storm is estimated to be in excess of $85 million for response, debris removal and damage costs.  A federal disaster declaration will allow these localities to receive federal funding to defray the costs of repairing shorelines, infrastructure and public and private property.

I fully support New York State’s request for a federal emergency declaration to provide assistance to local governments, families and individuals in the state.  It is vital that we not only repair the damage, but provide hazard mitigation to ensure that New York residents and their property are protected from the compounded effects of future storm damage.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.  Please do not hesitate to contact my office if I can be of any further assistance.

Sincerely,

Tim Bishop

Member of Congress