Senator Zeldin Calls for Disaster Declaration After Last Week’s Storm

Senator Zeldin Calls for Disaster Declaration After Last Week’s Storm

RONKONKOMA—Senator Lee Zeldin (R, C, I—Shirley) released the following statement calling on the Governor to request and the President to approve an official disaster declaration after the storm that hit Long Island last week wreaked havoc on communities across Suffolk County.

“During the storm that hit Long Island last Wednesday, August 12, more than 13 inches of rain were dumped across certain parts of Suffolk County. In its wake, residents were left with severe flooding and destruction. People’s property, homes and businesses were seriously damaged or in some cases, even completely destroyed.

Disaster declarations are not automatic. The Governor must make an official request to FEMA and the President must approve it. The federal storm damage assessment process with FEMA has officially begun. Both state and local governments have been gathering the specific damage information FEMA requires, and a FEMA assessment team has been on-site to review the damage. It’s important that Governor Cuomo submit a persuasive, documented request as quickly as possible, and for FEMA and President Obama to act on it swiftly.

Most of my constituents who had homes and businesses damaged by the storm do not live in flood zones, so they don’t have the protection of flood insurance. Unfortunately, this means that many residents are now stuck footing the bill for massive repairs that they simply can’t afford. Declaring this a disaster will provide these residents with the necessary means to begin repairs.”

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Press Contact: Jennifer DiSiena (631) 585-0608 or disiena@nysenate.gov