Governor Cuomo Announces Federal Approval For Major Disaster Declaration Due to March 2017 Blizzard
Public Assistance Granted For 28 Counties from Historic "Winter Storm Stella"
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced a major disaster declaration
has been issued for 28 counties across the state due to the significant
snow storm known as "Winter Storm Stella" that occurred from
March 14-15, 2017. State and local governments had more than $31.4 million
in response costs and infrastructure damage validated as a result of the
storm. A major disaster declaration for these counties is the next step
in seeking financial assistance from the federal government once the $27.7
million damage threshold is met to allow local communities to continue
to recover. Assistance includes funding for emergency protective measures,
debris removal, and repairs to public infrastructure.
The 28 counties include Albany, Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland,
Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer,
Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Orleans, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady,
Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, and Ulster counties
"Extreme weather is quickly becoming the new normal and all levels
of government need to reorient to best help those impacted by increasingly
frequent storms,"Governor Cuomo said. "The state is committed to supporting every stage of the recovery
process, and this declaration is critical to getting the assistance we
need to help these communities move beyond this storm."
"Local and state agencies worked tirelessly to keep residents safe
before, during, and after this dangerous storm,"
said Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner
Roger L. Parrino, Sr. "I am pleased the federal government has recognized Governor Cuomo's
request for federal assistance as essential to the recovery process. I
would like to thank FEMA Region II for their on-the-ground-partnership.
This declaration will be a crucial step in helping these communities recover
from this storm."
Tragically, three fatalities were attributed to this event. The heavy
wet snow and strong winds downed thousands of trees, causing more than
17,000 power outages impacting tens of thousands throughout the State.
At the Governor's direction, 1,400 members of the New York National
Guard were deployed to assist in response efforts and local emergency
responders reported roof collapses, including a community college athletic
facility and several dairy barns. A mile long ice jam developed along
the Salmon River in the Village of Malone flooding the local water treatment
plant and causing residents to be evacuated from their homes.
According to the National Weather Service, record or near record snowfall
rates were recorded during the storm. Record amounts of accumulation were
measured in Broome County, which saw 36 inches in accumulation, and in
Chenango County which saw 35 inches. Delaware County recorded near record
snow fall amounts of 30 inches for the duration of the storm. Snow fall
rates from this storm were as much as six inches per hour throughout the state.
The Governor declared a State of Emergency on March 14, and local States
of Emergency were also declared by 40 local governments due to the severity
of the storm. Assistance was given to transport medical personnel and
at the height of the event the American Red Cross opened three shelters
and five warming centers servicing the local populations.
As a result of the damage caused by these storms, Governor Cuomo requested
technical assistance in the form of a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment,
which was conducted between March 30 and May 23, 2017. Results of this
PDA validated State and County expenditures of more than $31.4 million
in response and recovery efforts.
The federal government makes funding available to state and eligible local
governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing
basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged
by severe storms.