LaLota Calls on Hochul to Appeal FEMA Denial of Individual Assistance for August Flooding

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County) sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to deny Individual Assistance to Suffolk County to assist with recovery efforts following severe flooding 

“Suffolk County families devastated by the August 18th flooding cannot be left to shoulder the burden alone. FEMA’s denial of Individual Assistance leaves residents without the vital support they need to recover and rebuild,” said LaLota. “Governor Hochul must appeal this decision and advocate for the federal resources our communities deserve. We must ensure that Suffolk County receives the assistance necessary to recover from this disaster.”

To read the full letter, click HERE.

Background:

On September 18th, Governor Kathy Hochul requested a Major Disaster Declaration from the President to provide both individual and public assistance to Suffolk County.

For FEMA to consider disaster assistance requests, the Governor of the affected state must declare a state of emergency and directly request assistance through FEMA. On August 27th, Congressman LaLota joined Governor Kathy Hochul, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, and other local elected officials in touring the damage at the Mill Dam site, Stony Brook University, and the surrounding area.

On August 19th, Congressman LaLota sent a letter to Governor Hochul requesting she declare a state of emergency due to the flooding and heavy rain.On August 21st, Congressman LaLota sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg requesting he use the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to help with the recovery effort. After the Governor declared the State of Emergency on August 23rd, Congressman LaLota sent a letter the same day to FEMA requesting they provide disaster assistance in Suffolk County for the same storm. On August 25th, FEMA authorized an Emergency Declaration for Suffolk County to help with recovery and clean-up. However, this was extremely limited assistance. On August 27th, Congressman LaLota sent a letter to FEMA and Governor Hochul requesting they provide Individual Assistance to victims of the storm. On September 12th, Congressman LaLota sent a letter to Governor Hochul voicing his concerns over the delay in requesting further assistance from FEMA. On September 20th, Congressman LaLota sent a letter to President Biden in support of Governor Hochul’s request for public and individual assistance. On September 24th, President Biden granted a Major Disaster Declaration, including public assistance to recover from the rain event, however, on November 14th, President Biden issued a denial for individual assistance.

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