Senator Fuschillo Announces Over $4 Million Reimbursement to Suffolk County for Costs Incurred During Superstorm Sandy

     Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) today announced that New York State has provided $4,023,035 million to Suffolk County for reimbursement of debris removal costs incurred by the county following the impact of Superstorm Sandy. Suffolk County experienced severely damaged trees and other vegetation, leaving approximately 348,372 cubic yards of debris on county roads, right of ways, parks and other public spaces. The county responded by combining village personnel, equipment and some outside contracts. Contracts were used for debris clean-up, tree removal, garbage and landscape removal and movement of debris to disposal location.

     "Superstorm Sandy caused enormous destruction and damage throughout Suffolk County. The county expended significant resources to remove storm debris so that communities could start recovering and rebuilding as quickly as possible. Delivering this reimbursement funding back to Suffolk County will help provide much needed support for its ongoing restoration efforts," said Senator Fuschillo.

     "Sandy’s impact was devastating to every community in its path and Suffolk County absorbed unprecedented damage, leaving storm debris all over the county," Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "Like so many other affected communities, Suffolk County has had to remove huge quantities of debris, which they continue to do months after the storm ripped through its villages, towns and cities. This reimbursement is among many that Suffolk County and other affected communities will receive, passed through the state, from the federal government. I am very pleased to be able to direct these funds back to Suffolk County and help them continue in their overall restoration and recovery effort."

     The release of these federal funds are part of ongoing and anticipated future reimbursements the state will administer and pay to the affected municipalities. Municipalities are being reimbursed based on a variety of projects that include construction and demolition, sand and vegetative debris removal, EOC activations, evacuations, inspections and emergency IT repairs and restoration and the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) program. The state will continue to make these reimbursement payments as FEMA obligates the funds.