Gillibrand Statement On FEMA Again Denying Major Disaster Declaration For New York State For February Blizzard

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) made the following statement on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to deny for a second time Governor Kathy Hochul’s Major Disaster Declaration request in response to the February blizzard that brought record snowfall, high wind speeds, and coastal flooding to New York: “FEMA’s decision to again deny Governor Hochul’s request is wrong and a massive blow to New York State’s recovery efforts. In the wake of February’s record-breaking blizzard, our local governments stepped up to protect residents and save lives. Our municipal partners shouldn’t be penalized for doing the right thing, and the federal government has a responsibility to support New York’s full recovery. Once again, this administration is showing that it has unlimited money for bombs, billionaires, and ballrooms, but nothing to help the American people.” Governor Hochul’s Disaster Declaration request was first denied in July despite the blizzard meeting every FEMA threshold for federal assistance. In April, Senators Gillibrand and Schumer called on President Trump to approve Governor Kathy Hochul’s Major Disaster Declaration request. The governor made the request for Public Assistance for Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties, along with Snow Assistance for Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties, and Hazard Mitigation for the entire state. Tragically, the blizzard resulted in the death of several people across the state of New York. Governor Hochul’s Major Disaster Declaration request under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act would authorize FEMA aid to help New Yorkers recover and rebuild. ###