Biden Approves Federal Assistance

OKs request to declare “major disaster” after flooding

President Joe Biden on Saturday (July 22) approved a request from Gov. Kathy Hochul for a “major disaster declaration” that will allow federal funds to flow to communities impacted by flooding across upstate New York, including in Dutchess and Putnam counties.

The declaration gives counties access to financial support, including low-interest recovery loans, for debris removal, emergency protective measures and repairs to public buildings and infrastructure, roads, bridges, water and wastewater treatment facilities, critical infrastructure sites, schools and parks. The funding will come primarily through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“My administration will work directly with FEMA in the coming weeks to ensure our local government partners receive the critical funding they need to begin the recovery and rebuilding process,” Hochul said in a statement.

In the same statement, Dutchess County Executive William F.X. O’Neil said, “We greatly appreciate the assistance from the state and federal government,” and Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne said: “I’d like to thank President Biden for approving the federal major disaster declaration. I’d also like to thank Gov. Hochul, her staff and team at the Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services for working jointly with our team at the Bureau of Emergency Services during the storms and recovery efforts.

“Every representative from Putnam’s state and federal delegation took time to reach out and offer support in the aftermath of the storms, and we thank them all, but we also recognize we still have a long way to go before all repairs and mitigation efforts are completed.”

New York has also engaged with the U.S. Small Business Administration to pursue low-interest recovery loans for impacted businesses, the governor said. Further assistance to individuals remains under federal review.

In addition, Hochul deployed staff from the State Department of Financial Services (DFS) to affected areas to provide assistance to residents affected by the flooding in filing insurance claims. Individuals can also call the DFS Disaster Hotline at 800-339-1759.