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A bipartisan group of U.S. House members today wrote President Obama in support of Governor Cuomo's request for a major disaster declaration following severe flooding in upstate New York. The flooding, which occurred on June 27 and 28, 2013, badly damaged homes and businesses. In many areas there has been significant infrastructure damage and debris removal costs have been identified, providing additional burdens to cash-strapped local and state governments. The letter was authored and signed by Reps. Richard Hanna (NY-22), Chris Gibson (NY-19), Bill Owens (NY-21), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Tom Reed (NY-23).

"We can attest to the extensive damage impacting homes, businesses, and local infrastructure in the flooded areas and the serious personal losses experienced by local residents,” the Members wrote. “Many families have been displaced from their homes, and local businesses have been devastated. Meanwhile, local governments are struggling to find funding to repair roads, culverts, bridges and other infrastructure damaged or destroyed. Without assistance from the federal government, many local leaders question how they will be able to make necessary repairs, the cost of which far exceeds local resources.” 

The requested declaration would provide vital federal assistance in helping local governments, businesses and individuals rebuild from the storms. The affected counties include: Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Schoharie, St. Lawrence, Tioga and Warren.

A PDF of the letter to President Obama is attached. The text of the letter follows: 

July 1, 2013

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Obama:

We write in support of Governor Cuomo's request for a major disaster declaration as a result of severe storms and flooding that began on June 27 and 28, affecting several counties in upstate New York, including: Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Schoharie, St. Lawrence, Tioga and Warren.

The storms and flooding that struck parts of New York State in June have wrought a tremendous amount of damage to both public and individual property and comprehensive assistance is vitally needed in order to allow families and local municipalities to deal with the staggering damage and financial losses they have incurred.  Many communities remain unable to even begin to assess the damage because flood waters have yet to recede.  Due to a levee failure in the City of Oneida, Madison County, a 12-block area was evacuated and all electric and gas was turned off to those homes.  The City’s waste water treatment plant is completely underwater.

State officials have indicated they are confident that once it completes damage assessments in all areas, it will far exceed the State’s per capita threshold of $26.7 million.

We can attest to the extensive damage impacting homes, businesses, and local infrastructure in the flooded areas and the serious personal losses experienced by local residents.  Many families have been displaced from their homes, and local businesses have been devastated.  Meanwhile, local governments are struggling to find funding to repair roads, culverts, bridges and other infrastructure damaged or destroyed.  Without assistance from the federal government, many local leaders question how they will be able to make necessary repairs, the cost of which far exceeds local resources. 

We hope that you will consider the serious damage caused by severe storms and flash flooding and approve Governor Cuomo's major disaster declaration request.  To the residents and communities of New York State, the appropriate declaration and resultant federal assistance is vital to enabling them to rebuild from the flooding.

Sincerely,

Richard Hanna

Chris Gibson

Bill Owens

Paul Tonko

Tom Reed

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