State funds available to repair flood damage to private property

If you or someone you know in the Lockport area suffered property damage during the late June flood, this message is for you: the State of New York is making a total of $2,000,000 available to help Niagara County residents repair and rebuild.

These dollars—earmarked in the state budget for emergencies such as ours—will be very helpful to local residents because there was not enough damage to trigger FEMA aid, and insurance providers do not cover all losses.

Homeowners may be eligible to receive up to $31,900 for such work as the repair and/or replacement of damage to roofs, windows, doors, siding, flooring, drywall, insulation, foundations, well and septic systems, electric systems, fuel tanks, heating and water systems, and appliances; as well as remediation of environmental hazards.

Small business owners may be eligible to receive up to $50,000 for reimbursement for losses to inventory, equipment, materials, fixtures and furniture; as well as design, construction, rehabilitation or reconstruction of flood damaged structures.

For additional information on the NYS Flood Recovery Program and application materials, please visit: http://www.nyshcr.org/Programs/NYS-Flood. 

Affected homeowners and businesses can also call the NYS Flood Helpline at 1-888-769-7243 for information on how to receive assistance under the NYS Flood recovery program.  The NYS Flood Helpline is available from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

I was pleased to work with the governor and our many partners in state and local government to make these funds available at such a critical time.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need additional assistance.

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