Schumer Calls on FEMA to Reverse Decision to Block Nearly $1 Million in Aid for North Tonawanda in Wake of October's Devastating Snow Storms

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Schumer Calls on FEMA to Reverse Decision to Block Nearly $1 Million in Aid for North Tonawanda in Wake of October's Devastating Snow Storms

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today criticized a Federal Emergency Management Decision (FEMA) decision to deny reimbursement for $845,127 in expenses incurred by the City of North Tonawanda for tree and limb removal after October's surprise snow storms. More than 70,000 dangerous hanging limbs had to be removed by City officials after the storm, and despite going through a FEMA-approved competitive bidding process for the contract, FEMA has now informed the City that it will not fully cover the costs. Schumer today wrote to FEMA Administrator David Paulison asking him to overturn the decision to deny the city this much needed aid.

"This decision by FEMA is completely unjustified and unfair to the City of North Tonawanda, its businesses, and residents", Schumer said. "The aid is vital toward helping communities across Western New York recover. FEMA needs to step up and cover these costs so we can put the aftermath of the storms behind us."

In October, the City of North Tonawanda received approval from FEMA to negotiate a contract for tree and limb removal after the freak October snow storms. The damage was extensive, with broken limbs and downed trees more widespread than after a normal winter storm because trees were not able to freeze before the storm and withstand the weight of the snow. The City approved the lowest bid available to remove the debris and clean up the damage, and the company, SRS, Inc, removed more than 70,000 dangerous limbs and trees, far more than the 30,000 initially estimated. Since the City followed all applicable FEMA guidelines, it expected to be fully reimbursed by FEMA.

However, on December 22, FEMA informed City officials that it would disallow payment for $845,127.40, citing that the "per limb" rate agreed to by the City was excessive, even though the City had never been notified that the rate was considered unacceptable. FEMA had ample opportunity to inform City officials that the per limb rate was too high, but only informed the mayor's office of its decision long after the work had been completed and the money spent.

Schumer today said that if FEMA backed out now and left the City with nearly $1 million in unreimbursed costs, it would leave an enormous hole in the City's budget. In his letter, Schumer asked "I urge you to expeditiously review the pending appeal and reward the city the money that they deserve and desperately need."

Schumer first called on FEMA to release public assistance immediately after the mid-October snow storms.

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