President Barack Obama's declaration of a state of emergency in Delaware, Schoharie and other counties affected by Hurricane Irene was seen as good news by those interviewed Wednesday. Two Democratic senators urged more action for farmers in the affected counties.
A Federal Emergency Management Agency team arrived Wednesday morning to determine what kind of assistance Delaware County is eligible for, according to a media release from the county department of Emergency Services.
A disaster recovery center will be set up in the next few days; the location is yet to be determined. Schoharie County Board of Supervisors public information officer Karen Miller did not return two calls for comment.
The federal declaration allows residents and businesses to start applying today for individual assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling (800) 621-3362, according to a FEMA release.
The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
More information about what the declaration provides for is at www.fema.gov/pdf/media/factsheets/dad_disaster_declaration.pdf.
Those who have suffered property damage are advised to take detailed photographs that document damage to the inside and outside of structures (including high-water marks and damaged belongings) before beginning any major repairs, according to a media release from Delaware County Emergency Services.
The declaration also makes municipal public assistance available for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. All counties are eligible for the hazard mitigation grant program.
U.S. Sens. Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, wrote to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Wednesday to urge further action, saying the U.S. Department of Agriculture should issue an agriculture disaster declaration and expedite disaster assistance to Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie and other counties.
This would include financial assistance to compensate for crop loss, low-interest loans and assistance in rehabilitating farm land.
"It's welcomed," Delaware County Board of Supervisor's Chairman James Eisel said about the federal assistance made possible by the presidential declaration. "Anything the government can do to help the area recover will be appreciated.
"Everybody is moving fast to help," he said. "We'll heal and get it done."
He met with a representative of Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday and showed her the area in Middletown and Roxbury townships that was hit hardest.
The additional aid for farmers would be very important, he said, adding: "It's a large part of our economy."
The senators and others who are seeking help are doing the right thing, Eisel said. The farmers certainly need the government's support in rebuilding.
"It's a start," Delaware County Emergency Services Director Richard Bell said about the federal declaration. "We need everything we can get."
There is no way to know yet the losses the county suffered, he said.
"I thank President (Barack) Obama for his quick action granting New York a federal disaster declaration," Cuomo, who saw some of the devastation first hand Wednesday, said in a media release.
"All levels of government are working together to help New York recover, and we will not stop until the job is done," he said.
State Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, was also there. In a media release he said: "The devastation is utterly astonishing. My heart goes out to the families and individuals who are demonstrating such amazing courage and fortitude in the face of this tragedy."
As flood waters have receded, the full extent of the damage the hurricane wrought is becoming clearer in Delaware County.
Irene brought record-high flooding to the East Branch of the Delaware River, far surpassing the flood of January 1996.
The county has rescinded its state of emergency, lifting the travel advisory. It has also been lifted in Roxbury on Wednesday though it remains in effect for the town of Middletown, and the village of Margaretville.
Speaking about the possibility of federal assistance, John Christensen, who owns a business property on Main Street in Margaretville, said: "It's good news."
He rents out the building, and lives in New York City. He is waiting to learn the details of the assistance.
When the flood was at its highest, there was about a foot and a half of water around the building, he said. There was some damage, but he won't know the extent until a service agency comes to the property next week. He appeared to be fortunate compared to others in the area, he said.
Richard Giles, owner of Lucky Dog Farm in Hamden, said the water covered his entire crop of vegetables. The FEMA assistance will be helpful to some, but the declaration being requested by the senators would provide farmers like Giles help in cleaning up and loan repayment.
He was working on determining the losses, but it includes 12-14 acres of lettuce that were destroyed. The farm grows a broad range of vegetables, and lettuce is the biggest crop, he said. His nearby house was not damaged.
In Schoharie County, Middleburgh Supervisor Dennis Richards said he has been too busy helping with the recovery to see the details of the declaration. "My hope is there is something substantial to help families and businesses."
This would mean grants for businesses, which don't have the money to repay loans.
If that were the case, "some would be willing to try again," and restart their businesses, he said.
In his town there are $25 million to $35 million in road and bridge damages.
"Hopefully this will give us some relief in making the necessary repairs," he said. "We need our government to help us instead of helping the rest of the world."
He would be in favor of anything that helps farmers that have been devastated in harvest season. "This is a time for America to take care of Americans," he said.
In other flood related news, in Schoharie County, Interstate 88, between Exit 22 for Cobleskill and Middleburgh and Exit 23 for Central Bridge and Schoharie has been re-opened, the state Department of Transportation said Wednesday afternoon.
The I-88 section had been closed because of flooding concerns, and both eastbound and westbound lanes are open, the DOT said.
In Chenango County, New York State Electric & Gas is delivering dry ice and bottled water to the Norwich Fire Station on East Main Street daily, according to a media release from Emergency Services Director Matthew Beckwith. It is on a first-come first-serve basis.
The American Red Cross will be setting up a day services center at the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES on County Road 32 in North Norwich beginning today. This center will provide facilities for showers and will serve meals at 5 p.m. It will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., until power in the county is completely restored.
The YMCA on North Broad Street in Norwich has also offered its shower facilities, but is unable to provide food.
In Otsego County, residents who suffered damage home or property damage from the storm are asked to call the Office of Emergency Services at 547-4227. They should also register with FEMA at (800) 621-3362. Hearing impaired callers can dial (800) 462-7585 for assistance.
Hurricane Irene
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Area officials welcome federal disaster assistance
- Hurricane Irene
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Red Cross closes last shelter but aid efforts continue
Aid efforts for flood victims continue throughout the region as individuals and organizations tend to the needs of the thousands affected by last weekend's storms and flooding.
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Disaster relief
The Daily Star is compiling information about aid available to flood victims, and relief efforts being undertaken by local individuals and organizations. To add to this list, email news@thedailystar.com or call 432-1000, ext. 217.
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Red Cross closes last Delaware County shelter
Aid efforts for flood victims continue throughout the region as individuals and organizations tend to the needs of the thousands affected by last weekend’s storms and flooding.
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Schoharie couple recall night of flood, pick up pieces
SCHOHARIE _ It begins as a tiny stream on the north slope of 3,573-foot Indian Head Mountain in the Eastern Catskills.
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Some area NYSEG customers still without power
Although two local utilities report having restored nearly all power to customers affected by Tropical Storm Irene more than a week ago, hundreds of local customers are among those who remain without power.
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Week in Review: Hurricane Irene aftermath
Hurricane Irene dominated the news locally as well as nationally this week.
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Hurricane Irene caused damage but brought community together
I often say that being a news editor is never boring. The past week has been a vivid example of just what I mean.
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Delaware County offers transportation to victims of Irene
In a press release, the Delaware County Human Services Departments announced today that they have arranged for free public transportation for victims of Hurricane Irene to travel to the Disaster Assistance Service Center at Belleayre Ski Center in High Mount and two area grocery stores.
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disaster Aid and assistance
The Daily Star is compiling information about aid available to flood victims, and relief efforts being undertaken by local individuals and organizations. To add to this list, email news@thedailystar.com or call 432-1000, ext. 217.
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Delaware flood center offers laundry, showers, food
The Delaware County Flood Recovery Center is open at Belleayre Ski Center, according to a media release from the Delaware County Office of Emergency Services.
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Area residents may have power restored by the weekend
Most area residents still without power should have service restored by the weekend, but some repairs are taking longer than originally estimated, according to figures provided by two utilities Thursday afternoon.
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Public transportation arranged for local Irene victims
In a press release, the Delaware County Human Services Departments announced today that they have arranged for free public transportation for victims of Hurricane Irene to travel to the Disaster Assistance Service Center at Belleayre Ski Center in High Mount and two area grocery stores.
The Disaster Assistance Service Center is a three-county service center for Delaware, Greene and Ulster counties.
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Free laundry, batteries in Cobleskill
Free laundry service and device recharging will be available in Cobleskill today and tomorrow.
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Area volunteers deliver needed relief
Teams of Salvation Army, American Red Cross and Catholic Charities volunteers have been delivering supplies and water to help victims in Delaware County, which was left a disaster area by Hurricane Irene winds and rain, official said Thursday.
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disaster Aid and assistance
The Daily Star is compiling information about aid available to flood victims, and relief efforts being undertaken by local individuals and organizations. To add to this list, email news@thedailystar.com or call 432-1000, ext. 217.
- Delaware County officials urge residents to apply for help
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Sens. Schumer, Gillibrand campaign for disaster aid
New York's two U.S. senators kept up their campaigns for federal disaster aid Thursday in separate statements.
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Power to be restored to local counties in next few days
Customers in the local four counties continue to be among those still missing power in large numbers, but many will have service restored within the next few days, according to figures provided by two utilities on Thursday afternoon.
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Red Cross opens three day centers
The American Red Cross has opened day centers in the region for area residents affected by flooding. The following centers are open until 6 p.m. today, and will serve hot meals at 5 p.m.
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Area officials welcome federal disaster assistance
President Barack Obama's declaration of a state of emergency in Delaware, Schoharie and other counties affected by Hurricane Irene was seen as good news by those interviewed Wednesday. Two Democratic senators urged more action for farmers in the affected counties.
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Over 10,000 NYSEG customers still without power in area
Work continued to restore electrical service to the thousands without power in the region on Tuesday, but many remain without service, with some scheduled to wait until next week for restoration.
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NYSEG announces timetable for repairs
NYSEG has released estimated restoration times for the first time since Hurricane Irene swept through the region.
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Meals available in Otsego County
Otsego County is offering meal sites in Oneonta and Unadilla today.
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Interstate 88 exits reopened
Interstate 88 in Schoharie County between exit 22 for Cobleskill and Middleburgh and exit 23 for Central Bridge and Schoharie has been re-opened, the state Department of Transportation said Wednesday afternoon.
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AP: President declares disaster for eight upstate counties
President Barack Obama has declared a disaster in New York after Tropical Storm Irene, freeing up federal recovery funds for area counties, according to the Associated Press.
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Red Cross closes last shelter but aid efforts continue
