ALBANY – Governor George E. Pataki Monday toured areas of Montgomery County ravaged by last week’s floods, including Lock 10 of the Erie Canal in Cranesville, as the State’s massive response and recovery effort to assist communities and thousands of New Yorkers continues. The Governor announced President Bush has approved federal Individual Assistance for 12 of the 13 flood-ravaged counties.
“While the waters have receded, we continue to do everything possible to help thousands of New Yorkers and communities across the State recover from the devastation of these floods,” Governor Pataki said. “Dedicated teams of State personnel, including members of the National Guard, remain active in this recovery effort and will be providing support and assistance as long as necessary.
“Last week’s flooding was obviously a disaster of gigantic proportions, and I am pleased that the federal government has approved Individual Assistance to be granted to people in 12 counties,” the Governor said. “As we move forward with recovery efforts, New York State will continue to fight for a full and complete federal response, including the necessary resources, assistance, and commitment to ensure that all affected individuals and communities receive the support they need and deserve to overcome their recent hardships.”
The Individual Assistance Program provides assistance to homeowners, renters and small businesses through the Individual and Households program, disaster unemployment assistance, crisis counseling and Small Business Administration disaster loans. The disaster aid includes grants for rental assistance, home repairs, and other disaster-related needs. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available for those who qualify. Federal and State disaster assistance covers basic needs that are not insured.
Individuals can register for federal disaster aid by calling FEMA’s toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those who are hearing or speech impaired may call TTY at 1-800-462-7585. Phone lines are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Flood victims may also register for disaster assistance on-line at www.fema.gov
On Friday, the Governor formally requested that President Bush issue a major federal disaster declaration to provide federal disaster assistance to individuals and communities in the following 13 counties: Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga and Ulster.
On Saturday, FEMA declared the following eight counties eligible for costs associated with protective measures taken during the floods and debris removal: Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Otsego, Sullivan and Ulster. The Governor said the federal decision was “disappointing” and vowed to fight for a “swift, complete and full disaster declaration.” This afternoon, FEMA announced approval of the federal Individual Assistance Program for all but one county (Cortland).
Over the weekend, State and federal teams conducted damage assessments for FEMA’s Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs in all 13 affected counties. Today, the Governor announced that damage assessments were being conducted in seven additional counties: Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Madison, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Tompkins.
The New York State Canal System experienced the worst flooding during a navigation season since construction began on the Barge Canal in 1905. Due to the heavy damage, including significant debris and erosion at many locks, the Mohawk River section of the Erie Canal is likely to remain closed for several weeks. Lock 10 in Cranesville, Montgomery County, has been hit especially hard and the restoration of the infrastructure at this location is likely to take up to two months.
The Governor today also announced the opening of four Disaster Assistance Service Centers to provide victims of last week’s floods with services and information from State and local agencies and voluntary organizations. Two additional centers are scheduled to open Tuesday morning.
“These Disaster Assistance Service Centers will give New York flood victims the help and assistance they need to begin the daunting task of rebuilding their lives,” Governor Pataki said. “Working together, we will help our neighbors and communities recover and become stronger and more vibrant than ever.”
The Disaster Assistance Service Centers opening today will be at the following county locations:
· Broome County: Binghamton High School, 31 Main Street, Binghamton, NY
· Otsego County: SUNY Campus, Lee Hall, Ravena Parkway, Oneonta, NY
· Delaware County: Walton High School, 47-49 Stockton Avenue, Walton, NY
· Sullivan County: Sullivan County International Airport, Terminal Building, County Route 183A, White Lake, NY

The centers will be open from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. today and will remain open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, including July 4, until further notice.
The Governor announced that a toll-free hotline has been established to assist flood victims with the State Individual and Family Grant applications. The phone number is 1-888-7-NYS-AID. Operators will be available from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m.until 5 p.m.
Grant applications will be available at Disaster Assistance Service Centers and on the web at www.labor.state.ny.us.
In addition to the State Individual and Family Grant Program, the State will assume the localities’ share of costs under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. Typically, the FEMA program reimburses localities for 75 percent of the costs to repair public infrastructure damaged by major disasters, with the State and local community splitting the remaining 25 percent. Under this program, the State would pay the customary 12.5 percent locality share, providing needed budgetary relief for municipalities in flood impacted regions.