Ritchie Applauds Relief Package For Those Impacted by Record Flooding

State Senator Ritchie is applauding the announcement of a Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River flood relief package announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday as part of the state’s Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI). Senator Ritchie will now work to ensure Central and Northern New York, its businesses and homeowners get the help they need.

After the Governor’s announcement in Rochester Monday, Senator Ritchie met with state emergency management officials to begin to discuss what resources are needed immediately to mitigate the impact of high water and how municipalities, businesses and homeowners can rebuild in a way that ensures they are protected from any future flooding.

“While I am awaiting more information on the details of this program and how support will be allocated, I am pleased the Governor and our other state leaders understand the severity of the situation facing communities along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River,” said Senator Patty Ritchie.

“It is imperative that we work as quickly as possible to provide property owners, businesses and municipalities with the help they need to rebuild and enhance our shorelines so we are protected from flooding for many years to come.”

As part of the Lake Ontario REDI, New York State has promised to provide, and pay planners to help each community rebuild in the safest and most forward thinking way possible. As they do so, a special focus will be placed on how to accomplish these goals while also creating new opportunities for tourism and economic development.

In recent weeks, Senator Ritchie has visited shoreline properties to assess damage firsthand, as well as invited newly appointed International Joint Commission Chairwoman Jane Corwin to visit the region and see the devastation high waters have caused.

In the wake of the 2017 flooding of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, Senator Ritchie helped to create the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence Seaway Flood Relief and Recover Grant Program, which provided $90 million in funding to help impacted homeowners, small businesses and municipalities.

(In the photo above, Senator Ritchie is seen at Monday's announcement speaking with New York Power Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Gil Quiniones.)