Emergency Actions Initiated in New York by President Biden

President Biden has declared an emergency for New York, speeding up federal aid amidst a critical crisis.

At a Glance

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared an emergency in New York due to severe storms and flooding from August 18 to August 19, 2024.
Federal assistance to support state and local response efforts has been approved.
The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA are coordinating disaster relief efforts.
Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures will be provided at 75% federal funding for Suffolk County.
Ms. Lai Sun Yee of FEMA has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations.

Emergency Declaration Details

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared an emergency in New York due to severe storms and flooding that occurred on August 18-19, 2024. This authorization allows the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts promptly, providing much-needed resources to local and state authorities. The goal is to facilitate a swift federal response to protect public health and safety and aid in recovery.

Federal assistance is being mobilized to supplement state and local response efforts. Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures will be provided at 75% federal funding for Suffolk County, where significant damage has been reported. Governor Kathy Hochul thanked President Biden and FEMA for their quick response, saying, “Extreme weather hit Suffolk County families and communities hard this month, and I commend the hardworking damage assessment teams on the ground who provided information to secure this important federal disaster assistance.”

Efforts by Local, State, and Federal Officials

Federal Coordinating Officer Lai Sun Yee has been appointed to oversee recovery operations in the affected areas. Governor Hochul announced that homeowners may be eligible for grants up to $50,000 for necessary health and safety repairs not covered by insurance. Additionally, the Department of Financial Services and U.S. Small Business Administration will offer insurance assistance and low-interest recovery loans to impacted residents and businesses.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his support, stating, “I am glad the Biden-Harris administration acted quickly, heeding our call to approve Governor Hochul’s emergency declaration request for Suffolk County. Flash flooding and intense rainfall devastated communities across Long Island last week, and I’ve been working with local officials and the state ever since to assess the damage with Army Corps on the ground.”

President Joe Biden has approved Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont's request for a federal emergency declaration in three counties in response to the historic rainfall and devastating flooding from storms earlier this week. https://t.co/53iJQPhqlR

— CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) August 22, 2024

Previous and Ongoing Efforts

New York has experienced multiple severe weather events recently. On January 31, 2024, President Biden approved a major disaster declaration for New York, following a storm and flooding from September 28-30, 2023. Federal funding was made available for the repair or replacement of facilities in Kings, Nassau, and Westchester counties, including hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Governor Hochul is preparing another request for a major disaster declaration for Upstate New York due to heavy rainstorms and flooding that occurred from July 9-11, 2023. If approved, this would provide further federal financial assistance for recovery efforts in several counties across the region.