Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $14 Million in FEMA Funding for Debris Removal in Suffolk County After Superstorm Sandy
July 17, 2013 - Albany, NY - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $14,892,111 of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding for the Suffolk County Public Works – Sanitation Department which will reimburse the costs for debris removal operations as a result of Superstorm Sandy.
“Superstorm Sandy wreaked significant damage throughout Suffolk County, requiring a massive cleanup effort,” said Schumer. “This federal reimbursement for debris cleanup is critical in making sure that Long Islanders are not entirely on the hook for these expenses and I am pleased that this funding is being provided.”
“This federal funding will provide much needed relief for Suffolk County families and businesses impacted by Superstorm Sandy,” Senator Gillibrand said. “It is critical that Long Island communities have the necessary resources on the ground to recover and rebuild.”
“These federal funds are critical to make sure that we don’t overburden Suffolk County taxpayers as we continue to rebuild in Sandy’s aftermath,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said. “I applaud Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and our whole federal delegation for their strong advocacy to make sure Suffolk County receives the help we need to recover and rebuild.”
Superstorm Sandy brought strong winds and heavy rains to the New York tri-state area, resulting in downed trees, scattered vegetative debris and other materials strewn throughout busy roadways. Debris was deposited onto public rights of ways, streets, and public access areas throughout the County that posed an immediate threat to public safety and therefore, needed to be removed and disposed of.
FEMA has awarded the Suffolk County Public Works-Sanitation Department over $14 million in funds to reimburse them for the costs of debris removal that resulted from Superstorm Sandy. Approximately 464,154CY of vegetative debris removal including fine disposition of debris was performed following Superstorm Sandy.