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'Snowvember': President declares disaster for New York

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Mon, Dec 22nd 2014 03:45 pm

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency announced federal disaster aid has been made available to the state of New York to supplement state, local and tribal recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm, snowstorm and flooding during the period of Nov. 17-26.

The president's action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local and tribal governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm, snowstorm and flooding in the counties of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Orleans, St. Lawrence and Wyoming.

In addition, federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for snow assistance for a continuous 48-hour period during or proximate to the incident period in Erie, Genesee and Wyoming counties.

Federal funding also is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

William L. Vogel has been named as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Vogel said additional designations might be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Federal Aid Programs for the State of New York Disaster Recovery

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama's major disaster declaration issued for the state of New York.

Assistance for State and Affected Local and Tribal Governments Can Include as Required:

•Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

•Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

•Federal funding is available to the state and eligible tribal and local governments on a cost-sharing basis for snow assistance for a continuous 48-hour period during or proximate to the incident period. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

•Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, local and tribal governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

•Application procedures for the state, local and tribal governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

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