Following Year of Unprecedented Natural Disasters, Gillibrand Fights to Protect Investments that Help New York Communities Increase Preparedness, Reduce Costs, Damage of Disasters

Press Release

Following a year of disaster declarations in 41 of New York's 62 counties, including back to back tropical storms, the Department of Homeland Security budget faces devastating cuts to funding for the National Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund, which supports efforts to reduce the cost and damage of disasters. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today is urging Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Committee leaders to protect this important funding, as well as investments in the national Disaster Relief Fund.

"New York State endured some of the very worst of last year's epic storms -- costing us farmland and crops, destroying homes, businesses, roads and bridges," Senator Gillibrand said. "Our communities shouldn't have to shoulder that financial burden alone, and hazard mitigation is one of the best tools we have to reduce these costs when disaster strikes. We can't afford to lose this important investment that can go a long way in preventing big costs down the road."

Last year, disaster declarations were issued in 48 states. 41 of New York's 62 counties received disaster declarations from storms, flooding, blizzards, ice storms and other severe weather. Over the last 10 years, 31 different disasters have triggered Presidential declarations across New York State, costing billions of dollars in clean-up efforts to rebuild infrastructure.

-In New York City, 11 disaster declarations have been issued in the last 10 years.
-In Western New York, 8 disaster declarations have been issued in the last 10 years.
-In the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region, 9 disaster declarations have been issued in the last 10 years.
-In Central New York, 19 disaster declarations have been issued in the last 10 years.
-In the Southern Tier, 24 disaster declarations have been issued in the last 10 years.
-In the Capital Region, 23 disaster declarations have been issued in the last 10 years.
-In the North Country, 12 disaster declarations have been issued in the last 10 years.
-In the Hudson Valley, 22 disaster declarations have been issued in the last 10 years.
-On Long Island, 10 disaster declarations have been issued in the last 10 years.

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