Letter to Deane Criswell, FEMA Administrator - Schumer, Gillibrand Urge FEMA to Reverse Decision Denying Individual Assistance to Steuben County for the Damage Caused By Tropical Storm Fred in August; Senators Say Flooding Cost Millions of Dollars in Damages Impacting Hundreds of Residents, and that FEMA's Denial is Shortsighted

Letter

Dear Administrator Criswell,

We write in strong support of the State of New York's appeal of the denial for Individual Assistance to Steuben County following the devastating flooding caused by Tropical Storm Fred on August 18, 2021.

We appreciate the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) decision to grant Public Assistance to the eight counties New York State requested, as well as the Hazard Mitigation funding, but the damage in Steuben County was so severe that we disagree with FEMA's decision not to grant the county Individual Assistance. This severe storm caused significant damage in Steuben County, homes have been left uninhabitable, residents have been displaced, and most tragically, the storm claimed one life. Based off a joint federal, state, and local Preliminary Damage Assessment hundreds of homes and dozens businesses were destroyed or severely damaged. Steuben residents are hurting, the school in the Jasper-Troupsburg district had four feet of water in it, businesses were decimated, and the resident's public infrastructure -- from roads to bridges -- was ravaged. In short- residents in Steuben County have faced devastating loss and are desperately in need of Individual Assistance.

As you consider this appeal, I urge you to examine the arguments the State of New York has outlined in their appeal. Looking at the factors used to award Individual Assistance to counties after Hurricane Ida (DR-4615), it is evident that using the same factors, Steuben County should be awarded Individual Assistance under DR-4625 (Tropical Storm Fred).

We greatly appreciate the work FEMA has done in response to Tropical Storm Fred, as well as Hurricane Ida and Hurricane Henri. We strongly support the State of New York's request for Individual Assistance in the areas impacted by this storm event. We appreciate your swift attention and consideration of this request and stand ready to work with you and FEMA to deliver support and resources to the impacted individuals and communities.

Sincerely,

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