SCHUMER THINKS NEW YORK IS A DISASTER

SCHUMER URGES FEMA TO ISSUE DISASTER DECLARATION FOR NEW YORK CITY FOLLOWING MAJOR SEPTEMBER STORM; CLEAN UP COSTS FOR NEW YORK CITY TAXPAYERS IN TENS OF MILLIONS

Mid-September Storm Unleashed Two Tornadoes, Downing Thousands Of Trees And Knocking Out Power Across The City; Clean Up Already Costing Cash-Strapped City Millions

Schumer Presses for Quick Approval of New York State's Disaster Declaration Request

Schumer: Feds Can't Leave New York City in the Red for Natural Disaster

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged President Obama to quickly approve Governor Paterson's request for a Disaster Declaration for New York City after the devastating September 16th storm that downed thousands of trees, knocked out power for tens of thousands of New Yorkers, and led to one death. New York City incurred millions of dollars in costs due to serious damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure as well as incurring significant emergency costs. In an effort to help local communities and expedite aid, Schumer today, in a personal letter to President Obama, pushed for an immediate Disaster Declaration, which would allow for millions in federal assistance.

"New York City needs immediate aid to help recover from this devastating September storm," Schumer said."Our first responders and emergency workers have been working day and night to clean up after the storm and help the people of New York get back on track. But they shouldn't be the ones to foot the bill." 

The violent storm that slammed New York City on September 16^th included two tornadoes that left a path of destruction unseen in decades. 37,000 customers were left without power at the height of the storm. Approximately 9,000 trees down or partially destroyed - many on parked cars and buildings - and the city has so far removed over 2,500 tons of tree debris from streets and parks. Nearly 1,200 sidewalks sustained damage. The storm had one victim, who died when a tree fell on her car.

FEMA's initial assessment approximates that clean-up from the storm will cost more than $27 million - including 7.2 million for Queens County and 7.9 million for King County alone. This is well above the state per capita threshold.  This damage estimate includes local roadway destruction due to downed trees; major disruptions to the New York City transportation system, including the Long Island Railroad; complete destruction of four and major damage to almost ninety residences; and damage to critical power infrastructure.

Emergency crews worked around the clock to clean up the damage.  The storm left cash-strapped communities across New York City with hefty cleanup costs, business closures and home and infrastructure repair costs in the millions of dollars. The severity and magnitude of this storm is beyond the capabilities of the effected local governments.

If the President approves the disaster declaration, New York City could be in line to receive federal reimbursements for public assistance, individual assistance, and hazard mitigation support. These reimbursements cover a wide range of costs including debris removal; overtime reimbursements to municipal employees; repairing/rebuilding public roads, bridges, buildings; and funding to reduce long-term risks to life or property from natural disasters.

A copy of Senator Schumer's letter to FEMA is below:  

The Honorable Barack H. Obama

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20500

The Honorable W. Craig Fugate

Administrator

Federal Emergency Management Agency

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

500 C Street, SW

Washington, D.C. 20472

Dear President Obama and Administrator Fugate,

I write today to urge the expeditious approval of New York State's October 1, 2010 request for a federal disaster declaration for New York City following the severe storm that swept through the area on September 16, 2010.

The storm that battered New York City on September 16 was devastating. The storm's ferocious wind and rain spawned tornadoes that caused extensive property damage, left thousands without power, and disrupted travel for New Yorkers in all five boroughs. Tragically, this storm also took the life of one New Yorker.

Preliminary damage estimates from the state and federal assessment report that the September 16 storm caused severe loss and damage to public and private property in excess of $27 million, well above the state per capita threshold. This damage estimate includes local roadway destruction due to downed trees; major disruptions to the New York City transportation system, including the Long Island Railroad; complete destruction of four and major damage to almost ninety residences; and damage to critical power infrastructure.

New York City's response to this crisis was admirable, but it cannot do this alone; it is now time for the federal government to help. Public assistance, individual assistance, and hazard mitigation funding are absolutely necessary to help New York City completely recover, and I respectfully urge your approval of the governor's request.