RYAN, SCHUMER AND GILLIBRAND CALL ON FEMA TO EXPAND MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION TO INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE FOR ORANGE COUNTY FAMILIES IMPACTED BY HISTORIC FLOODING
Ryan, Schumer and Gillibrand Call on FEMA to Expand Major Disaster Declaration to Include Individual Assistance for Orange County Families Impacted by Historic Flooding
Reps Say Individual Assistance would provide direct financial relief to impacted Orange County residents, including funds to support the repair or replacement of destroyed homes and businesses.
HIGHLAND FALLS, NY – Congressman Pat Ryan, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support New York State’s request to the president for Individual Assistance for Orange County families impacted by last month’s extreme flooding. The representatives said Individual Assistance would provide direct financial relief to impacted Orange County residents, including funds to support the repair or replacement of destroyed homes and businesses.
“Hudson Valley families saw their homes swept away instantly in last month’s flood. As they face the devastating cost of rebuilding, I’m pushing with everything I have to get them the relief they deserve. That’s why I’m calling on FEMA to immediately offer Individual Assistance for those impacted,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “This is a rare step, but for the people of Orange County whose lives have been torn apart, it is a necessary one. I will keep fighting until everyone impacted receives the aid they need.
“Just one month ago, Orange County was torn apart by extreme flooding that devastated nearly every corner of the community from Cornwall to Fort Montgomery. We are thankful that President Biden has already delivered Public Assistance to Orange County and a number of other counties in New York to rebuild. Now, as our families in Orange County start on the long road to recovery after catastrophic flooding that wreaked havoc on their homes and businesses, we must work to get these New Yorkers every bit of assistance and relief we can,” said Senator Schumer. “That is why we are calling on FEMA to cut through the red tape and offer Individual Assistance to Orange County residents to give our families and homeowners the support they need to fully get back on their feet.”
“Last month, Orange County residents experienced the devastating effects of a 1000-year rain event and the subsequent flash flooding that caused incredible damage to the environment, homes and businesses,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It is critical that these residents receive robust federal assistance to help rebuild. That is why we are calling on FEMA to offer Individual Assistance to ensure Orange County residents receive all available resources to accelerate the recovery process.”
Since historic flooding devastated the Hudson Valley in July, Congressman Ryan and his office have worked around the clock to deliver relief for impacted families. Ryan formed a coalition of community partners and mobilized his Constituent Advocacy Resources Empowerment Services (C.A.R.E.S.) Van to hold a series of events to deliver flood recovery resources directly to constituents in communities impacted by the flood.
Ryan and Schumer both visited communities throughout Orange County to assess the damage, meet residents impacted by the storm, and partner with state, local, and federal leaders on a coordinated response. Ryan and Schumer’s staff have also volunteered at the Red Cross shelter in Highland Falls and will continue to be on the ground for additional support.
As soon as Ryan, Schumer, and Gillibrand heard about the extreme flooding that was wreaking havoc on communities across Upstate, the representatives immediately urged FEMA to stand ready to approve any request from New York State for a major disaster declaration. Four days later, the representatives all wrote urging President Biden to approve the Major Disaster declaration for New York communities impacted by the severe flash flooding that has rampaged through the Hudson Valley and communities across Upstate New York. On July 17th, Schumer and Ryan personally visited the affected areas in Highland Falls, West Point, and across Orange County, doubling down on their calls to secure a Major Disaster Declaration from FEMA to help Hudson Valley communities get on the road to recovery.
On July 22nd, the representatives announced that President Biden approved New York’s Major Disaster Declaration, unlocking emergency funds to support recovery and reconstruction efforts for the significant public infrastructure damage in Clinton, Dutchess, Essex, Hamilton, Ontario, Orange, Putnam, and Rockland Counties.
On August 4th, Congressman Ryan announced the re-opening of the Popolopen Bridge, a key access point connecting Route 9W and the surrounding counties. Funds provided by the Major Disaster Declaration were critical for the bridge to re-open only four weeks after flooding damage closed it. The project was originally expected to take months to fix and had caused significant traffic disruption, and slowed economic activity.
A copy of Ryan, Schumer and Gillibrand’s letter urging approval of Individual Assistance appears below:
Dear Administrator:
We write to both thank you for all your hard work in supporting New York following the disastrous flash flooding last month, and to urge you to expeditiously approve New York State’s requested Individual Assistance for Orange and Ontario Counties. The state’s request for assistance through the Individuals and Households Program, including Other Needs Assistance, Disaster Case Management, Disaster Legal Services, and SBA Disaster Assistance is important to helping residents of Orange and Ontario Counties recover and rebuild.
The catastrophic impact of this storm has been felt throughout much of the state. These flash floods brought up to 8 inches of rain in under 12 hours, washing some homes away, severely damaging others, and tragically causing one death in Orange County. In Ontario County, floods impacted an estimated 200 homes and displaced residents who were forced to evacuate. The unprecedented flooding caused the collapse of one Ontario County home, submerged many other homeowner basements in more than 8 feet of water, and left many homes with irreparable damage. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency for Orange and Ontario Counties on July 9, 2023 due to the immediately clear and disastrous impacts of the flash floods. While the Preliminary Damage Assessment is still ongoing, and we strongly support that ongoing work and NY’s requests for Public Assistant for counties that have not yet been granted, it is clear that the impacts of this storm were widespread and debilitating for thousands of New Yorkers. Residents will spend many months, if not years, building back their lives. Although New York State has made nearly $3 million in grants available to impacted residents in Orange County, much of Orange County is above the income threshold, making them ineligible to receive recovery aid and leaving them with few options given their lack of flood insurance. According to Orange County state Assemblyman Chris Eachus, national data indicate that only four homeowners in the town of Highlands — which includes the village of Highland Falls and the hamlet of Fort Montgomery — have flood insurance policies. While many residents are above the federal poverty line, disqualifying them from receiving state aid, thousands are without flood insurance and would face onerous out of pocket costs to repair and return to their homes.
That is why New York State requested Individual Assistance for Orange and Ontario County residents. We know that Individual Assistance is rarely granted, but with so many devastated homes in such a small area, we strongly believe this is justified. While Individual Assistance is made on many factors, the unprecedented impacts of such a strong storm that left residents little time to prepare support the call for Individual Assistance, and therefore we strongly support New York’s request for the Individuals and Households Program, including Other Needs Assistance, Disaster Case Management, Disaster Legal Services, and SBA Disaster Assistance.
The catastrophic flash flooding was a widespread event that affected the entire state of New York. Public Assistance has already been approved for Clinton, Dutchess, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Ontario, Orange, Putnam, and Rockland Counties. While this aid will help rebuild roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure, individuals in Orange and Ontario counties need additional support to help put their lives back on track and return residents to their homes.
As you consider this request, we urge you to examine the arguments the State of New York has outlined in their request for a Major Disaster Declaration. Looking at the factors used to award Individual Assistance to counties after Hurricane Ida (DR-4615), it is evident that using the same factors, Orange and Ontario Counties should be awarded Individual Assistance under DR-4723.
While we appreciate everything FEMA has done to assist New Yorkers during this difficult time, we urge you to expand New York’s Major Disaster Declaration to include Individual Assistance as expeditiously as possible.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our staff.
Sincerely,
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