Schumer Hosts Meeting with FEMA Administrator & Middletown Mayor to Hold FEMA Accountable for $7 Million Worth of Flood Repairs for Middletown - FEMA Must Swiftly Commit to Finishing these Road & Flood Prevention Projects to Avoid Future Flooding

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer hosted a meeting in his Washington D.C. office with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and the City of Middletown Mayor Joe DeStefano in order to ensure that FEMA lives up to its obligations in reimbursing the city for approximately $7 million worth of infrastructure repairs, which must be fixed to avoid risk of further flooding. Eight months after last fall's floods, numerous repairs to culverts, retaining walls, flood diversion walls and underground pillars, and projects including County Route 78 and North Aspen Drive, have yet to be completed. The incomplete projects have city officials concerned that a serious rainstorm could result in flooding in several neighborhoods in Middletown, and Schumer and DeStefano are urging FEMA Administrator Fugate to end the delays and mixed messages that have left Middletown residents in a lurch, waiting for the final word on which projects FEMA will fund and when the work will be completed.

"FEMA simply cannot turn its back on the City of Middletown and its residents in the middle of their rebuilding efforts--too much is at stake in terms of the safety of residents, the cost to taxpayers, and the future of city infrastructure if more flooding strikes," said Schumer. "That is why I've brought together Middletown Mayor DeStefano, a leader in the recovery effort, to meet with FEMA Administrator Fugate to together get a handle on the situation in Middletown, so that infrastructure repairs and flood prevention initiatives can move forward. Every day that FEMA sends mixed messages or spends debating payment and projects is another day that Middletown neighborhoods are left exposed to flooding. If we don't fix these soon, the next rain storm could set the flood recovery back months, and deal a devastating blow to homes and businesses. We can't let that happen -- FEMA needs to step up to the plate and fulfill its duty."

"Today's meeting with FEMA Administrator Fugate demonstrates yet again that when the City of Middletown hits a roadblock or needs help, Senator Schumer is where to turn to break the bureaucratic logjam and help get things done," said Middletown Mayor Joe DeStefano. "I applaud the Senator for his quick action and support for helping the City of Middletown as we rebuild, and I hope that today's discussions will help end FEMA's delays in financial aid payments to Middletown and will push them to act as quickly as the Senator has. I look forward to working with Senator Schumer and FEMA to get the city the funding and resources we so desperately need, in order to avoid any further delay in critical infrastructure repairs, and unnecessary burdens on the City and its taxpayers. I am more confined than ever that help is on its way because of the efforts of Senator Schumer."

Following the devastating storms last year, the city of Middletown has done everything asked of them by FEMA to ensure financial assistance for the damage caused by the storms. The city has hired expert independent engineers, planners and assessors to submit all the necessary paperwork required by FEMA and chart a course forward. After FEMA sent a team to Middletown to assess the damage on the ground and work with the city, FEMA pulled this team and sent a new team resulting in a loss of invaluable time and planning. The city continued to act in good faith and complete the litany of tasks given to them by FEMA but is still waiting to be paid for damage to critical infrastructure including DPW facilities, roads, culverts, retaining walls and key storm water systems. The city could wait no longer and was forced to tap into other budgeted projects to minimize public safety risks caused by these delays. The city does not have the financial resources necessary to complete these projects on their own and FEMA must step in to help the city of Middletown and taxpayers recover from this storm.

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