Pleas for More FEMA Money
ALBANY - After the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted aid in the form of public assistance to counties affected by the August floods, Senator Catharine Young (R,I,C – Olean) today was joined by flood victims, and state, local and town officials in Silver Creek to urge FEMA to issue individual assistance to affected areas to help cover the extensive damage and to aid those who lost their homes.
“We appreciate FEMA’s quick response in calling for the limited emergency declaration, but people who have been flooded out of their homes or business have nowhere else to go and need additional support to meet their basic needs,” said Sen. Young. “It is critical that FEMA coordinates with federal and state agencies to assess the urgency of additional funding to assist in the ongoing response and repair efforts for everyone who was affected by this devastation.”
After the President declares a disaster area, aid from FEMA comes in two parts, although they typically are approved simultaneously. Public Assistance provides aid to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work, but FEMA has yet to deliver Individual Assistance directly to the homes and businesses that were damaged in the storms.
"I was very discouraged that the declaration signed by the President only authorized the public assistance side, which is municipal damage," County Executive Greg Edwards said. "I continue to receive calls on a daily basis from residents who are in desperate need of relief only the Federal government can provide. We have individuals in need of hot water heaters, furnaces and other repairs and I will continue to work with our elected officials continue to push for the full declaration to be issued immediately."
According to the latest information from the Chautauqua County Office of Emergency Services, over 250 homes in Chautauqua County have sustained major or minor damage as a result of the storms, including 39 homes that were completely destroyed.
Suzanne Grabowski is the Property Manager for the Silver Village Mobil Home Park in Silver Creek who said all 35 mobile homes in the park were completely destroyed.
“Silver Village was devastated by the raging waters of the creek. The residents here lost everything - their homes, possessions, vehicles and each other. After working day after day with the village officials and seeing each resident retrieve as much as they could from their homes, it’s hard to believe that the government is sitting on the fence as to whether or not to help these residents. As a community we are asking that you please help these people, as they did not have a lot before, and now they have nothing,” said Ms. Grabowski.
emailed from Cathy Young's office
“We appreciate FEMA’s quick response in calling for the limited emergency declaration, but people who have been flooded out of their homes or business have nowhere else to go and need additional support to meet their basic needs,” said Sen. Young. “It is critical that FEMA coordinates with federal and state agencies to assess the urgency of additional funding to assist in the ongoing response and repair efforts for everyone who was affected by this devastation.”
After the President declares a disaster area, aid from FEMA comes in two parts, although they typically are approved simultaneously. Public Assistance provides aid to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work, but FEMA has yet to deliver Individual Assistance directly to the homes and businesses that were damaged in the storms.
"I was very discouraged that the declaration signed by the President only authorized the public assistance side, which is municipal damage," County Executive Greg Edwards said. "I continue to receive calls on a daily basis from residents who are in desperate need of relief only the Federal government can provide. We have individuals in need of hot water heaters, furnaces and other repairs and I will continue to work with our elected officials continue to push for the full declaration to be issued immediately."
According to the latest information from the Chautauqua County Office of Emergency Services, over 250 homes in Chautauqua County have sustained major or minor damage as a result of the storms, including 39 homes that were completely destroyed.
Suzanne Grabowski is the Property Manager for the Silver Village Mobil Home Park in Silver Creek who said all 35 mobile homes in the park were completely destroyed.
“Silver Village was devastated by the raging waters of the creek. The residents here lost everything - their homes, possessions, vehicles and each other. After working day after day with the village officials and seeing each resident retrieve as much as they could from their homes, it’s hard to believe that the government is sitting on the fence as to whether or not to help these residents. As a community we are asking that you please help these people, as they did not have a lot before, and now they have nothing,” said Ms. Grabowski.
emailed from Cathy Young's office
.jpg)
Comments