President Donald Trump has approved a New York Disaster declaration that will make federal funding available to municipalities affected by this summer's flooding along the Lake Ontario shoreline.
President Trump declared that the flooding, which happened between May 2 and August 6, 2017 has created a major disaster. This means State, tribal and local recovery efforts will receive Federal assistance.
Federal funding is available to the State and to tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis.
The money can be used to help fund emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by flooding.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
The declaration applies to Jefferson, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wayne counties.
Additional designations may be made in the future if the State assesses further damage and requests them.
In May, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced $22 million in state funds to help recovery efforts.
$7 million of that is available to individual homeowners whose properties were affected by the flooding. Homeowners will be able to get up to $40,000 in aid. They'll apply through municipal governments or housing organizations.
$10 million of that state money was awarded to municipalities and the remaining $5 million created small business grants for flood recovery.
Anyone dealing with structural damage to their home can contact New York State Homes and Community Renewal by calling (518) 474-2057, or emailing ocrinfo@nyshcr.org.
