Hochul Calls for Federal Emergency Declaration After Storms

Gov. Kathy Hochul has asked President Joe Biden for a federal emergency declaration to support response and recovery operations in 15 counties following a series of extreme weather events that recently devastated areas in upstate New York.

This declaration would authorize FEMA to reimburse debris removal operations, emergency protective measures such as search and rescue operations, and actions to eliminate or reduce immediate threats of significant additional damage to critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water control facilities and utilities.

The counties included in the reporting request are Chemung, Genesee, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oswego, Oneida, Ontario, Saratoga, Schuyler, Steuben and Warren.

“After extreme weather hit parts of our state midweek, I am requesting a federal emergency declaration to support our recovery efforts and provide assistance to families and businesses,” Governor Hochul said. “We must give our communities the support they need to recover, and I will do everything in my power to provide New Yorkers with the resources they need.”

There were 17 confirmed tornadoes across the state, the most confirmed tornadoes for the month of July since records began in 1950. The previous record was 13 in July 1992.