Millions of dollars will be used to fund a new investment program to support local communities with flood recovery efforts along Lake Ontario.
The ten million dollar budget will repair flood walls, roads, sidewalks, culverts, and public water and sewer infrastructure in communities who have been impacted by recent flooding, Governor Cuomo announced Monday morning.
A State of Emergency was declared earlier this month in several counties along Lake Ontario, including Niagara and Orleans counties. This was done to speed up repairs to impacted area. The Lake Ontario Rapid Respond Team also continues to help residents and monitor response efforts along the Lake Ontario shoreline.
"As Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River continue to slowly rise, we must do everything in our power to ease the financial and personal toll on our families and communities, while fortifying our infrastructure to ensure its continued viability," Governor Cuomo said. "With this available funding, we are ramping up our multi-agency response efforts to help these communities and provide the assistance that they need now."
Over the last month, over 1.2 million sandbags have been given out across the effected regions to help fight water damage to home and businesses. Eleven sandbagging machines have also been deployed, at least one in every effected county. In addition, U.S. Army Corps engineers have provided on-the-ground technical assistance and coordination.
Regional Resource Deployment
Orleans County
- 130,000 sandbags
- One sandbagger
- 52 National Guard members
- State sandbagging operation at 14410 Route 31 in Albion
- Three Department of Corrections and Community Supervision inmate crews (2 in the Town of Kendell, 1 in the Town of Carlton)
Niagara County
- 60,000 sandbags
- One sandbagger
- Ten National Guard members
- Local sandbagging operations 1691 Lockport Road in Olcott
- 14 pumps and various hoses (12 - 3" pumps, 2 - 6" pumps)
"Our communities on Lake Ontario are working hard to fight off flood damage to roads, flood walls and the public water infrastructure in several locations along the lakefront spanning from Jefferson County to Niagara," Lieutenant Governor Hochul said. "Governor Cuomo has committed $10 million in state funding to help make needed infrastructure repairs in these communities, and we will continue our ongoing support in manpower, sandbagging and assistance at our Mobile Command Center."
The governor is also asking residents to report price gouging for any services as a result of this flooding disaster. If you believe you are being charged excessive prices for essential consumer goods and services needed to help with this situation, call the Lake Ontario Flood Assistance Hotline at 866-244-3839.
Emergency Response Mobile Command Centers are also being deployed. These are staffed with Department of Financial Services personnel who can help residents with the insurance claim process. Over 700 people have utilized the insurance assistance at the various locations.
The Emergency Response Moblie Command Centers will be at the following local locations on Tuesday, May 23. The Department of Financial Service's Disaster Hotline can also be reached at 1-800-339-1759.
- Niagara: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. in the Town of Newfane at the Olcott Fire Company. 1691 Lockport-Olcott Road.
- Orleans - 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. in the Town of Kent at the County Marine Park. Point Breeze Road (Route 98).
Experts from the Department of Environmental Conservation will also be at the Mobile Command Centers to answer questions about the Storm Recovery General Permit. They will be able to describe the specific types of repairs and stabilization work allowed to properties and help complete the application form. In certain circumstances, the DEC will provide permits on-site.
DEC Regional Permit Office Contacts
NYS DEC Region 8 (Monroe, Orleans and Wayne counties)
- 6274 East Avon - Lima Road, Avon, NY 14414
- 585-226-5400
- dep.r8@dec.ny.gov
NYS DEC Region 9 (Niagara County)
- 270 Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14203
- 716-851-7165
- dep.r9@dec.ny.gov
The DEC also has a team of coastal engineers along Lake Ontario to conduct site visits and offer technical assistance to property owners.
