$11 Million in Emergency Assistance Provided in Response to Tornadoes and Flooding Across New York State in July

Governor Kathy Hochul

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced up to $11 million in emergency assistance for eligible homeowners and municipalities in seven counties impacted by a series of severe weather events. From July 10th to the 16th, 22 tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flooding affected multiple Upstate communities. This funding follows the Governor’s request for a federal Emergency Declaration to support response and recovery operations in 15 counties. Immediately following the storms on July 17, Governor Hochul toured communities to assess the damage.

“After extreme weather events caused major damage across Upstate New York, we are providing rapid relief for impacted residents and municipalities,” Governor Hochul said, “While I continue to urge the federal government to act quickly on our request for an emergency declaration, my administration remains committed to assisting affected New Yorkers so they can recover from these devastating storms.”

Up to $5 million in state funds will be made available to eligible homeowners impacted by these storm events. This state funding will provide emergency repair grants of up to $50,000 to homeowners who suffered damage to their primary residence in Lewis, Madison, Oneida, as well as Chautauqua, Erie, Essex, and Warren Counties. New York State Homes and Community Renewal will oversee the program and grants will be awarded based on a scope of work approved by local administrators according to program guidelines. Homeowners in the affected regions can apply to receive funding to cover the cost of urgent repairs necessary to bring their home into a safe and habitable condition. Applicants must be homeowners whose incomes are at or below 100 percent of Area Median Income to qualify. Eligible homeowners interested in applying may inquire here.

Up to $4 million in emergency funding will be awarded to Oneida County and the City of Rome to support demolition of unsafe and unstable structures from tornado and severe storm damage. Additionally, a $2 million Restore New York program grant previously awarded to support the rehabilitation of 233 West Dominick Street in Rome, will be authorized for demolition and redevelopment of the site. The next round of the Restore New York program, which will launch this summer, will incorporate guidelines for communities affected by these storms to apply for funding to support initiatives to demolish or repurpose now blighted or unsafe buildings.

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “The assistance being made available by Governor Hochul will help families begin to repair the damage they suffered. The team at DHSES is working closely with local officials to make sure that the communities affected by these storms get every federal dollar that they are eligible for.”

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “As residents across Upstate New York recover from the destruction caused by recent tornadoes and severe storms, this financial assistance will help eligible homeowners pick up the pieces and ensure their homes are made safe and habitable. Thanks to Governor Hochul, the State is in a better position to provide aid and assist more New Yorkers as they face the fallout from climate-related storms.”

On July 20, Governor Hochul requested a federal emergency declaration to support response and recovery operations following the storms that occurred on July 15 and 16. If approved, the Federal Emergency Declaration would authorize FEMA to provide reimbursement for debris removal operations, emergency protective measures like search and rescue operations, and actions to eliminate or reduce immediate threats of significant additional damage to critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water control facilities and utilities.

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Emergency Management and Office of Fire Prevention and Control, the Department of Transportation, Office of Disaster Recovery Programs, New York State Police, Thruway Authority and National Guard continue to be engaged in supporting local governments as they work to recover.