GREENE – New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced August 1 that more than 1.3 million dollars in Federal Flood Mitigation Funding will be offered to the Village of Greene to support properties damaged during Tropical Storm Lee in 2011. This money is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The funds granted to the Village of Greene will be utilized in supporting the elevation of 13 residential properties within the village that were damaged during the storm approximately a year and a half ago, and were also affected in 2006 during the flooding that occurred throughout Chenango County.
Village of Greene Mayor Phill Brown said, “This is good news for many of the residents that have now suffered through two floods, first in 2006 then in 2011. I think it is great, and hopefully these residents will take advantage of this opportunity.”
All of the residential properties receiving the funding are within the village limits, added the mayor.
“Tropical Storm Lee caused devastating damage in areas of the Southern Tier, including the Village of Greene, and unfortunately severe storms are likely to happen again in this region,” said Governor Cuomo. “FEMA recognizes that the Village is vulnerable to flooding, and this funding will help affected owners to strengthen their properties against this threat. That is exactly what we are continuing to do across the state because experience has taught us that in the face of changing climate, we must build back stronger and smarter than before. Elevating these properties will mitigate loss and damage, ensuring that the community is better prepared for the future.”
It was initially announced in September of 2011 after the storm hit that FEMA would make disaster aid available to homeowners, renters and small businesses affected by the flooding caused by tropical storm Lee.
In September of 2011 Cuomo had said, “The recent flooding caused widespread damage across the Southern Tier and I thank FEMA for their prompt decision to help New Yorkers recover.”
Now, one and a half years later, Cuomo’s office has made the announcement that Greene will receive funding.
Mayor Brown attributes the wait time to the fact Greene was not the only affected area with regard to the flooding, and the process for applying and qualifying for the funds was rather time consuming and detailed.
“Part of the process was property specific data,” said Brown. This required information including proof of repeated loss, first floor estimations and benefit-cost analyses.
This is funded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and has been offered to the properties deemed eligible based on the continuing risk of future flooding in the areas of the residences as well as the other information involved in the application process.
President Barack Obama made a disaster declaration after tropical storm Lee hit the area, which then allowed FEMA to provide HMGP funds to states for them to administer grant programs supporting local hazard mitigation planning as well as long-term hazard mitigation measures to reduce loss of life and damage to property from natural disasters, according to Governor Cuomo’s release.
The grant money is in place to revitalize the storm damaged communities and encourage innovation as said communities rebuild.
Mayor Brown said 22 residents were adversely affected by the damaging weather, but only 13 successfully completed the lengthy, detailed process. He said some opted not to follow through with the HMGP process and others didn’t meet all of the qualifications.
As for the next step, Brown said, “We’re still waiting for all the details from FEMA about how this will be handled from here, but I believe this will be done by the individual homeowners, getting the necessary people involved to take on this daunting task of elevating.”