Letter to President George W. Bush
Schumer Urges President, FEMA To Issue Major Disaster Declaration To Expedite Federal Aid For Additional Flooding This Fall
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged President George W. Bush and R. David Paulison, Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to issue a Major Disaster Declaration to expedite federal aid for Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Hamilton, Montgomery, Otsego and Tioga Counties after severe rains two weeks ago. On Friday, New York State requested federal aid. Schumer released the following letter:
President George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
R. David Paulison
Director for Federal Emergency Management
500 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20472
November 27, 2006
Dear President Bush, Director Paulison:
I am writing to urge you to expeditiously approve New York State's request for a major disaster declaration for Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Hamilton, Montgomery, Otsego and Tioga counties following the crippling flash flooding that occurred on November 16th. Based on damage assessments conducted by state and federal emergency personnel, Governor Pataki has determined that the cost of recovery is beyond the capacity of the state and local governments. Federal assistance is urgently needed to help these communities recuperate.
The 3-4 inches of rain that fell that night added to land already saturated by 47 inches of rain this year, well above the annual average. The storm caused highways closures, gas and water line ruptures and other severe damage to public infrastructure, businesses and individuals. Hundreds of residents had to be rescued and evacuated from their homes and car roofs; shelters have been set up to house hundreds whose homes have been left uninhabitable. The cost for recovery is expected to surpass $32,000,000.
Tragically, each of the counties now seeking federal assistance is the victim of repeated severe flooding. Every one of these communities has recently been financially and emotionally overwhelmed by declared federal disasters. The costs from this storm alone are too great for the local governments to cope with on their own. When you consider that these communities are already steeped in repair and recovery efforts from prior disasters, it is unequivocally clear that federal aid is needed immediately.
I ask that you issue a major disaster declaration for the affected counties without delay, ensuring that that the proper aid to individuals and local governments is delivered promptly. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Stacey Warady, in my office, at (202) 224-7276. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
U.S. Senator
http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/record.cfm?id=266135&&year=2006&