Governor David A. Paterson Monday announced that he has asked President Barack Obama to provide a major disaster declaration for Nassau, Orange, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester counties as a result of the March 13-15 Nor’easter, which caused flooding and severe beach erosion and cut electric power to more than 270,000 customers.
“While the State continues to do everything possible for the residents affected by this devastating storm, we need federal disaster assistance to help these communities recover,” Governor Paterson said. “The same counties affected by the March 2010 Nor’easter were pounded by repeated record breaking snow storms in December and February, which cost the State and local governments more than $45 million. Many of the emergency repairs and restoration efforts from the federally-declared disaster for the November 2009 storm were totally wiped out by the March Nor’easter.”
The Governor is seeking implementation of the Public Assistance program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the costs of response, debris removal and repairs to public property for the six counties. The Governor is also seeking statewide implementation of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation program, which provides 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by State and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life or property from natural or technological disasters.
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