Letter to the Hon. Peter Gaynor, Acting Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Association - Schumer, Gillibrand Call On FEMA To Stand Ready to Quickly Approve Potential Disaster Declaration for Lake Ontario & St. Lawrence River Communities Impacted by Flooding & Exceptionally High Water Levels

Letter

Dear Acting Administrator Gaynor:

We write to urge the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to stand ready to quickly approve any request from New York State for a major disaster declaration for communities affected by flooding along Lake Ontario. We appreciated FEMA's approval back in 2017 when we made a similar request for FEMA and the president to act on any disaster declaration request. At that time FEMA approved public assistance grant funding to help reimburse communities for the costly damage they sustained when Lake Ontario water levels rose to a record high of 248.95 feet and flooded near-shore communities. These communities are now facing a repeat, if not worse situation, as indicated by the U.S.- Canada International Joint Commission which warned on May 27, 2019 that water levels of Lake Ontario stood at 248.85 feet and would likely reach or exceed the 2017 record high within the next few days.

Eight New York State counties -- Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence -- are currently under a state-imposed Declaration of Emergency. The flooding is forcing businesses to shut down, is damaging property and public infrastructure, and has eroded away land and shoreline protections. Even after Lake Ontario's water level crests, it will take many weeks throughout the remaining summer months for the water to drop which may likely make it difficult to get a full accounting of damage incurred. Therefore, we also urge FEMA to stand ready to support any forthcoming requests for expedited assistance without a full field damage assessment. FEMA should be prepared to work with New York State and be as flexible as possible should the state submit an expedited request for disaster assistance for the communities impacted by the Lake Ontario flooding.

As the flood conditions continue, federal assistance from FEMA could be vital in ensuring that communities are able to repair damage, clean up debris, and undertake crucial mitigation work. We appreciate your attention to this matter and to our request to stand ready to support any requests from the state for disaster assistance.

Sincerely,

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