Letter to The Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States and The Honorable R. David Paulison, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency

Letter

Letter to The Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States and
The Honorable R. David Paulison, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency

AFTER SECURING EMERGENCY DECLARATION, SCHUMER URGES PRESIDENT, FEMA TO ISSUE MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION TO EXPEDITE FEDERAL AID TO 16 COUNTIES IN NYS FOLLOWING ICE STORM

Emergency Declaration Was First Step to Bringing Much-Needed Relief to Counties Hit By December's Devastating Ice Storm That Kept Hundreds of Thousands Without Power

Pushes For Major Disaster Declaration - Could Bring Additional Millions In Fed Assistance to 16 Counties in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley

Schumer: Communities and Local Governments Struggling to Repair the Severe Damages Caused by Storm Need Swift Relief

After helping to secure an emergency declaration to provide immediate relief for Upstate New York counties hit by December's ice storm, Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged President George W. Bush and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director R. David Paulison to support Governor Paterson's new request for a major disaster declaration to expedite additional millions in federal aid.

In an effort to help local communities and expedite service and aid, Schumer today, in a personal letter to President Bush and FEMA, pushed for an immediate Major Disaster Declaration, which would allow for millions in federal assistance.

"This December's ice storm hit Upstate New York swiftly and with great force," said Schumer. "Federal assistance is absolutely critical in helping the affected communities get back on their feet. Just like I did with the Emergency Declaration, I will do everything in my power to get a Major Disaster Declaration for New York State so that aid can flow quickly to local governments working to recover from the storm. In these very tough economic times, our localities shouldn't have the foot the entire bill of this disastrous storm."

A disastrous ice storm hit the Northeast on December 11th, including multiple counties throughout Upstate New York. Reports now indicate that this is the worst ice storm in over twenty years to hit New York's Capital Region and has led to the tragic loss of three lives and widespread destruction and property damage. At the height of the storm, nearly 300,000 New York homes and businesses were without power.

On Monday, December 15, Senator Schumer and Governor Paterson toured the ice storm damage in Niskayuna, Schenectady County, where over 95 percent of residents were initially without power and 50 percent of residents remained without power that day.

Following their push, on December 18, 2008, President Bush issued an emergency declaration for the region which made available limited direct sources of federal assistance. However, assessments have recently revealed the full extent of the damages caused by the storm and many of the affected local communities still need federal aid to offset the costs.

Recognizing the urgency and extent of the damage, Schumer is pushing for an immediate major disaster declaration from President George W. Bush and FEMA for the 16 counties hit by the storm, including Albany, Columbia, Chenango, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Otsego, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster and Washington Counties.

In a letter to President Bush and FEMA Administrator Paulison sent today, Schumer wrote, "As a result of the…winter storm, a federal emergency declaration was announced for these counties on December 18, 2008. I thank you for issuing this emergency declaration…However, as assessments begin to reveal the full extent of the damages wrought by the storm, many of the affected local communities cannot bear the burden of these costs on their own. I therefore urge you to issue a Major Disaster Declaration to ensure that additional federal resources are made swiftly available to the State and affected communities working to recover from this disaster."

The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500

The Honorable R. David Paulison
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20472

Dear President Bush and Administrator Paulison:

I write today to urge expeditious approval of New York State's request that Albany, Chenango, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, and Washington Counties receive a Major Disaster Declaration. The New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO), in conjunction with FEMA, is currently conducting preliminary damage assessments. Early estimates already show over $25 million in local recovery and response costs. In light of these enormous costs, I support Governor David Paterson's request for a Major Disaster Declaration, which would make federal aid available to the afflicted communities.

On December 11th, a disastrous ice storm hit the Northeast, including several counties in throughout New York. Reports now indicate that the worst ice storm in over twenty years to hit New York's Capital Region has led to the tragic loss of three lives and has left widespread destruction and property damage in its wake. At the height of the storm, nearly 300,000 New York homes and businesses were without power. In addition, a series of debilitating winter storms that hit New York after December 11th have delayed and exacerbated many recovery efforts.

As a result of the same winter storm, a federal emergency declaration was announced for these counties on December 18, 2008. I thank you for issuing this emergency declaration, which made available limited direct sources of federal aid. However, as assessments begin to reveal the full extent of the damages wrought by the storm, many of the affected local communities cannot bear the burden of these costs on their own. I therefore urge you to issue a Major Disaster Declaration to ensure that additional federal resources are made swiftly available to the State and affected communities working to recover from this disaster.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

Source