LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 16-22, 2014, as Flood Safety Awareness Week in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Gover-
nor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 16-22, 2014, as Flood Safety
Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the obser-
vance of National Flood Safety Awareness Week; and
WHEREAS, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
has named March 16-22, 2014, as National Flood Safety Awareness Week;
and
WHEREAS, Flooding is a coast to coast threat to the United States and
its territories in all months of the year; and
WHEREAS, National Flood Safety Awareness Week is intended to highlight
some of the many ways floods can occur, the hazards associated with
floods, and what can be done to save life and property; and
WHEREAS, Floods can happen anytime, anywhere and without warning; and
WHEREAS, Flooding creates emergencies of great concern to New York
State, with imminent threat to life and property, and causes hundreds of
millions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses and local government
infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, A large number of communities across New York State suffered
major flooding in 2011 as a result of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm
Lee, causing millions of dollars in damages and leading to the loss of
homes, properties, public infrastructure, businesses and income; and
WHEREAS, In addition, in October of 2012, Hurricane Sandy, also known
as Superstorm Sandy, made landfall near Atlantic City, New Jersey, with
90 mph winds; the largest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin,
wind gusts topped 100 mph in some parts of the New York Metropolitan
area; and
WHEREAS, Hurricane Sandy caused a record 14.41 foot storm surge at
Battery Park in New York City, flooding various parts of lower Manhattan
including various tunnels and subway systems, making them inoperable for
weeks, some of which are still damaged; and
WHEREAS, The immediate aftermath of Superstorm Sandy included wide-
spread flooding, massive power outages and a system-wide disruption of
mass transit service; many low-lying neighborhoods in New York as well
as New Jersey were completely destroyed and thousands of homes and busi-
nesses were demolished by the record storm surge; and
WHEREAS, Individuals and families are unfortunately still, to this
day, struggling to recover after having lost everything in the floods;
and
WHEREAS, Damage from a flood is not normally covered under a standard
homeowners policy, and residents need to review their homeowners poli-
cies and consider their risks for flooding and the need for flood insur-
ance; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body concurs that a public that is well
informed of the dangers associated with flooding can improve its
preparedness and reduce the occurrence of death, injury and property
damage as a result of severe flooding; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 16-22, 2014, as
Flood Safety Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.