Schumer: Massive Erosion From March Storms Proof Positive FEMA was Wrong to Shut Out Lido Beach From November Disaster Aid; Lido Needs Federal Aid Now

Press Release

United States Senator Charles E. Schumer, joined by Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Waterways Commissioner Ron Masters, called on FEMA today to immediately reverse its decision to deny federal aid for Lido Beach during November's nor'easter pointing out FEMA was wrong then to claim the beach could adequately protect property and fend off future storms. The damage from storms over the last four months is proof positive that FEMA's original decision to deny funding to Lido beach was wrong. Schumer today is calling for FEMA to bring in the Army Corps of Engineers immediately for a new assessment and deliver much needed federal aid.

"It's time for FEMA to step up to the plate, recognize the threat that the destruction of these dunes poses to the Town of Hempstead and deliver federal aid now," said Schumer. "Had FEMA not denied aid in November, the damage we have seen here today may not have been so dire."

The November 12, 2010, Nor'easter hit Long Island particularly hard, causing widespread erosion to barrier beaches and dunes, placing both private homes and critical infrastructure at risk for significant damage from a future storm. Lido Beach was badly damaged during that nor'easter, and the Army Corps of Engineers agreed that the beach's remaining protective dunes were not sufficient to protect the private property and infrastructure in Lido. Despite that assessment from the Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA did not agree and Lido Beach's request for assistance was denied.

Four months later, Long Island was hit hard again with two intense storms. Devastating wind and severe rain storms pounded Long Island, damaging critical infrastructure and local communities. Lido Beach was among the most damaged areas, experiencing serious erosion to the shoreline and scarping of the dunes. These storms devastated fifteen-foot tall dunes that protect the barrier island, tearing out dune grass and leaving clumps of its dense roots system exposed. The loss of these dunes poses significant risk to the town by removing barriers to ocean flooding.

"Sand dunes are our last line of defense between the ocean and area houses, buildings and roadways," Supervisor Kate Murray said. "It is critically important that we rebuild the dunes to protect our oceanfront community, and we are asking FEMA to help us with this essential task."

Request for aid to repair this dune system was initially rejected by FEMA, but the Town, State Emergency Management Office, and Senator Schumer have worked vigorously to gather information to prove that Lido Beach should be entitled to federal aid. Lido Beach's dune system protects the major highway and infrastructure behind the beach and it is imperative that federal aid be delivered as quickly as possible.

Working with local officials and New York State's Emergency Management Office (SEMO), Schumer is calling on FEMA to reverse its earlier decision that denied funding and incorporate new damage estimates into damage estimates from November. In a letter to the FEMA Administrator, Schumer called for an immediate Army Corps assessment of the damage to the Lido Beach dunes.

"The longer FEMA delays and the more it postpones aid, the greater the likelihood that another storm could cause even greater destruction, not only to Lido Beach and the dunes that protect vital infrastructure, but to the homes and livelihoods of the residents of Hempstead," continued Schumer. "FEMA needs to reverse its decision and do so now."

The Town has worked vigorously to collect new data to further prove that Lido Beach is entitled to federal aid. Lido Beach's dune system protects the major highway and infrastructure behind the beach and it is imperative that federal aid be delivered as quickly as possible.

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