By Hank Russell
Cover photo: Stumps visible for the first time in nearly 200 years after Hurricane Ernesto wiped away the dam at Stump Pond in Blydenburgh Park (Credit – Hector Gavilla)
U.S. Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) called on Governor Kathy Hochul (D) to appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to deny individual assistance to Long Islanders who experienced extensive damage or loss of their homes during the August storms as the result of Hurricane Ernesto.
In a letter he wrote to the governor, LaLota said, “Residents are still grappling with the aftermath, including structural damage, ruined personal belongings, and significant financial strain. FEMA’s decision not to authorize Individual Assistance risks leaving these victims to bear an overwhelming burden without federal support.”
FEMA previously provided public assistance to the region, which, according to FEMA, provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits – such as houses of worship, hospitals or academic institutions – so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. Federal funding is typically available on a cost-sharing basis of 75% of eligible costs and the recipient is responsible for the non-federal share (up to 25%.).
Individual Assistance helps survivors directly to assist those who have uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs. The assistance is meant to return a home to a safe, sanitary and functional residence. Please note, federal assistance cannot duplicate the benefits provided by other sources, such as insurance, and cannot pay for all losses caused by a disaster.
FEMA spokesperson Kate Macedo said Long Island would not be eligible for individual assistance because “the damage was not of severity and magnitude to warrant a federal declaration” of such assistance. She said the federal government evaluates several factors to determine whether a Governor’s request qualifies for Individual Assistance, which are the state’s fiscal capacity and availability of resources; uninsured home and personal property losses; a profile of those impacted by the disaster; impact to community infrastructure; disaster related unemployment; and casualties.
At a press conference in Yaphank on November 20, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) was asked by Long Island Life & Politics if he spoke to Hochul about this. He said he also sent a letter to Hochul asking her to appeal FEMA’s decision. “I find it odd, particularly when the governor has asked for [individual assistance funds],” he said.
According to Romaine, approximately 2,000 homes were damaged from the August storms. “We had mudslides in Rocky Point that absolutely overwhelmed these homes,” he said. “I can’t believe the federal government waited until the last day to wait and say, ‘Sorry, but no.’”
In response to LaLota’s letter, Hochul spokesperson Gordon Tepper said, “While the federal denial was disappointing, we plan to appeal and will continue fighting to ensure storm-impacted residents have access to recovery resources.”
Tepper pointed out that Hochul has already applied for low-interest disaster recovery loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the state’s emergency home repair funding program is already underway. “As climate change intensifies extreme weather, we remain committed to securing the support New Yorkers need and deserve to rebuild and recover,” he said.
Macedo said the governor has 30 days to make the appeal. LaLota said the appeal should be made sooner than that.
“This is not a time to accept inaction,” LaLota said. “Federal disaster aid plays a critical role in ensuring that communities like ours recover and rebuild after devastating events. FEMA’s initial Emergency Declaration, while a step in the right direction, was limited in scope and insufficient to address the needs of individual residents and families. I appreciate the actions your Administration has already taken, including declaring a State of Emergency and seeking FEMA assistance. However, the denial of Individual Assistance must not be the final word.”
This article originally appeared in Long Island Life and Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.
