Hochul secures federal funding after Tropical Depression Ida devastates NY

YONKERS, N.Y. (WHEC) — In a press conference on Friday, Governor Kathy Hochul updated New Yorkers on the storm recovery efforts and announced that President Biden has approved an Emergency Disaster Declaration for NY following the devastation caused by Tropical Depression Ida.

The counties covered by the declaration include Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester.

The declaration would provide up to $5 million in immediate federal funding to support ongoing response and rescue operations.

Hochul also announced that FEMA will begin damage assessments on Friday.

Hochul says state agency emergency response continues to help localities in cleanup and restoration efforts in wake of historic rainfall and flooding event.

"As Downstate areas recover from this extreme weather event, I have requested and secured an Emergency Disaster Declaration from the federal government that will help provide localities with funding and relief in the initial restoration efforts. I will continue to urge the federal government to expedite the damage assessment process to provide all the federal resources available to ensure New Yorkers get what they need to recover from this historic storm," Governor Hochul said. "We are committed to providing all the necessary resources for New Yorkers to recover from the historic, devastating flooding, and I have directed all state agencies on the ground to continue to help these impacted areas with cleanup missions."

There are still 7,900 customers without power.