Letter to The Honorable R. David Paulison, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response

Letter

Letter to The Honorable R. David Paulison, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response

Schumer Urges FEMA To Waive Damage Limit In Effort To Fast Track Federal Aid To Delaware County Following Severe Floods

July 23rd Floods Slammed Upstate New York - Causing Flooding Damage in Delaware for Fourth Time in Two Years

Storm Caused Over $18 Million in Damages Across NYS, But Under Current Federal Guidelines Damages Must Exceed $24 Million to Receive Assistance

Schumer to FEMA: Don't Use Cookie Cutter Assistance Threshold to Deny Desperately Needed Aid

In the aftermath of some of the worst flash flooding to hit Upstate New York in decades, Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make an exception and waive the damage limit that FEMA sets for the delivery of federal aid in response to the severe flooding that occurred in Delaware, Rensselaer and surrounding counties in July and August. Currently, the counties hit by the storm fall just $6 million short of being eligible for federal aid with a total of $18 million in damages when FEMA has set a damage threshold of $24 million.

In order to fast track funding to Delaware, Rensselaer, and nine other counties, Schumer recently called on FEMA to waive its damage limit.

"Delaware County has been hit time and again with damaging floods. Counties, local towns, villages and cities across Upstate New York should not be left to foot the entire bill alone," Schumer said. "I am urging FEMA to waive its damage limit so that we can fast track federal funds to the counties slammed by heavy rains in late July and early August. I will fight tooth and nail to make sure we help residents recover from the floods."

In late July, heavy rain from severe thunderstorms deposited several inches of water throughout Delaware County.

The flooding marks the fourth time in little over two years that the small villages and towns in Delaware County have been hit with devastating floods. Throughout July and August, eleven Upstate New York Counties have been affected by flash flooding. Columbia, Delaware, Livingston, Montgomery, Ontario, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Schoharie, Steuben, Sullivan, and Wyoming counties have suffered severe damages due to heavy storms from July 23 to August 16 of this year.

The costs incurred from these storms left the local governments with little money to spare. Initial calculations show that these heavy storms have caused over $18 million in damage in small communities throughout New York State. However, in order to qualify for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Administration, the disaster must have caused approximately $24 million in damages.

Federal assistance is urgently needed to help these communities recover. Recently, Governor Paterson asked FEMA to assist the State Emergency Management Office in completing preliminary damage assessments (PDAs) which took place over the past few weeks. However, federal assistance is urgently needed to help these communities recuperate.

In an effort to see Delaware and the affected Upstate New York counties receive FEMA funding, Senator Schumer wrote a personal letter to FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison urging him to waive the damage threshold for this disaster, which would allow the release of desperately needed aid to these communities and local governments.

Schumer wrote: "Federal assistance is urgently needed to help these communities recuperate. I urge you to waive the per-capita trigger thus ensuring that the desperately needed aid to these communities and local governments is delivered promptly."

A full copy of the letter is below:

August 29, 2008

The Honorable R. David Paulison
Under Secretary of Homeland Security
for Emergency Preparedness and Response
Department of Homeland Security
500 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20472

Dear Under Secretary Paulison:

I write to urge the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to waive the per-capita trigger that allows for the delivery of FEMA aid in response to the severe flooding that occurred in New York State from July 23 to August 16 of this year. As you know, a single weather system brought flash floods and severe storms that pounded New York State from late July to mid-August, severely affecting Columbia, Delaware, Livingston, Montgomery, Ontario, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Schoharie, Steuben, Sullivan, and Wyoming counties. These hammering rains resulted in significant damage to roads, homes and infrastructure.

The situation is dire enough that Governor Paterson asked FEMA to assist the State Emergency Management Office in completing preliminary damage assessments (PDAs). It is my understanding that the assessments took place over the past two weeks, and I appreciate FEMA's prompt attention to the State's request. Currently, the State of New York is doing everything it can to properly assess the damage and ensure that eligibility for federal assistance is thoroughly considered for all communities affected by the July/August weather pattern.

These heavy storms have caused over $18 million in damage in small communities throughout New York State. The flooding marks the most severe deluge that the City of Rensselaer in Rensselaer County has seen in decades and represents the 4th time in little over two years that the small villages and towns in Delaware County have been hit with devastating floods. The costs incurred from this weather system have left the local governments, which don't have deep financial pockets, with little money to spare. Federal assistance is urgently needed to help these communities recuperate. I urge you to waive the per-capita trigger thus ensuring that the desperately needed aid to these communities and local governments is delivered promptly.

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

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