Governor Cuomo and local and national public offi cials comfort the residents of Prattsville, NY

NewResponds York State

Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee: One Year Later August 2012 n August 24, 2011, the State Division of Home- Oland Security and Emergency Services, Offi ce of Emergency Management ac- During its life cycle tivated the state’s Emergency between August Operations Center in prepara- 20th and August tion for Hurricane Irene, which 29th, Hurricane Irene was on a path to make landfall caused widespread in New York around August damage and at 28th. Governor Cuomo de- Profi le clared a State Disaster Emer- least 56 deaths as it of the gency and requested that moved through the President Obama declare a Caribbean and along Pre-Disaster Emergency Dec- the East Coast of the laration for New York State to United States in late ensure that all state and feder- summer of 2011. Storms al assets were in place to pro- Its strength varied tect lives and property. during its journey At the governor’s direction, between a Category state agencies and local gov- 1 and Category 3 ernments met to plan coor- scale, reaching New dinated response eff orts. Di- York’s shores as a saster offi cials from New York State pre-deployed person- Governor Cuomo convenes emergency cabinet meeting strong Category 1 nel, equipment and supplies regarding Hurricane Irene on August 26, 2011 storm. It was the fi rst across the state so that the hurricane to make hardest hit counties would landfall in the United have assistance throughout States since 2008 and and immediately after the proved to be the 5th storm. The governor urged costliest hurricane in New Yorkers to prepare for the emergency and to look out for US history. their neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled, in the event help was needed. Just one week later, New York State was hit a second time by Tropical Storm Lee. Lee had formed in the Gulf of Mexico on September 2nd. Just before it moved Hurricane Irene hit New York over the State of Louisiana it was downgraded to a subtropical storm, though the State on August 28. The storm system maintained its heavy rainfall as it moved through the central United States. especially devastated com- The remnants of the system brought nearly a foot of rain to much of the Southern munities from the Catskills Tier of New York State causing widespread, devastating fl ooding. This resulted in through the Schoharie and a second Presidential Disaster Declaration and the beginning of recovery eff orts Mohawk Valleys, and up to the that continue today and will continue for many years. A NASA satellite map of Hurricane Irene approaching the US coastline Keene Valley and Essex Coun- ty. On August 31, 2011, Presi- The impact of the storms was staggering. The eff ect of Hurricane Irene and Tropi- dent Obama issued a Major cal Storm Lee resulted in over 390,000 ordered evacuations, 1,065,000 power out- Disaster Declaration for New ages and signifi cant damage to water systems and critical infrastructure, including York State and the counties numerous bridges and roads. Additionally, approximately 10,000 patients from 11 impacted by Hurricane Irene. hospitals, 26 long-term care facilities, and 25 adult care facilities were successfully (see a timeline on page 8). evacuated and repatriated.

2 3 The storms proved to be the largest and most expensive natural disaster in the his- tory of the state, with recov- ery costs second only to the 9/11 terror attacks. Overall, 38 counties across the state were impacted (see maps below) with an estimated $1.5 billion dollars in FEMA Mobilizing public assistance costs. Over 33,000 citizens registered after the for individual federal assis- tance amounting to nearly $156 million dollars to date. Another indicator of the Storms magnitude of the storms is the fact that 74 Disaster Re- Neighborhood devestation in Prattsville source Centers (DRCs) were created during the recovery period, which is more than “I think that the level of preparedness and the coordinated re- the number of DRCs mobi- lized for Hurricane Katrina sponse efforts were extraordinarily good, better than we’ve seen (56), and a new record for in a long time as far as the state government is concerned. I think the number of DRCs in New the governor really took a personal interest in how this was play- York State. Prior to Irene/Lee, ing out, what the level of response and preparedness would be, the previous record for the and I think he did whatever that needed to be done.” number of DRCs opened in New York State was 17 for - Irwin Redlener, Director of Columbia University’s National the June 2006 fl oods. Center for Disaster Preparedness

(As reported in the Ithaca Journal, September 21, 2011 by Jon Campbell, reporter)

Flood waters cover a stretch of highway in Owego

ew York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services responded to the immediate Disaster Declarations Throughout the State: needs of citizens during the storms. Across the state, swift water and air rescue teams rescued nearly 1,000 individuals, including some as fast-rising fl ood waters overtook their homes. Combined, over 1,700 State Police, 3,200 National Guard members, and 600 fi re related resources were deployed. 198 shelters housed over 18,000 citizens. The New York State Incident Management Team deployed to NSchoharie County and established a Command Post at the Schoharie County Fair Grounds, which enabled quick and effi cient coordination between federal, state and local offi cials. New York received addition Emergency Man- agement Assistance Compact support from 17 states across the nation. In the aftermath of the storm, Governor Cuomo visited the aff ected communities to off er the cooperation of the state government in recovery. At the governor’s request, Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano and FEMA Administrator Fugate visitied the region with the governor to ensure they could see fi rst-hand the assistance needed and to coordinate assistance delivered. The statewide response to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee spanned nearly three months and represent- ed one of the largest operations in New York State history. Over 300 personnel from over 40 agencies manned the State Emergency Operations Center through the end of September 2011.

4 5 Voices of Resilience Personal Stories of New Yorkers Affected by the Storm

We tried to salvage everything we could – cool- ers, everything. We even moved out some sinks. Then we just sat and waited. We weren’t allowed to come back into our building for two weeks. During that time, the mold started to grow.” The recovery was very challenging. “The mud and the sludge had started to eat away at everything,” she says. “I had a contractor come in to fi nish the demolition. All the walls, the ceilings and fl oors had to “The state come out. We started gut- helped me as ted things, getting insula- a business. tion out. My insurance only If that didn’t covered four feet and up.” come through, I wouldn’t The government relief Sue have been received was an impor- able to open” tant ingredient in helping -Sue Ihlo her bounce back. “The Owner, The Cheese state helped me as a Barrel ue Ihlo is the owner of the Cheese Barrel in Margaretville in Dela- business,” she says. “I re- ware County. She remembers how everyone was surprised by the ceived $20,000 for struc- Governor Cuomo joins in the “Labor for Your Neighbor” cleanup eff ort over Labor Day weekend in Margaretville Sferocity of the storms of 2011. tural damage, which helped tremendously. If that “We knew the storm was going to be bad,” she says, “but it was worse. didn’t come through, I wouldn’t have been able to We got everything out of the basement in preparation for the storm, but open. It helped a lot and made a big difference.” the rain just didn’t stop. Just to see the destruction of it, to see one of the Now Sue is back in business, and the community Labor for Your Neighbor Department of State Code Enforcement other businesses in town gutted out, the hay bales going down the road, it around her is making strides as well. “I opened In response to the many off ers New was really hard. The tenants in my building had to get out, the fi re trucks a week before Memorial Day,” she says. “The and Administration - Disaster Response Unit had to come with their rescue boats.” Yorkers generously made to assist supermarket came back a week later. I told the In response to the governor’s emergency declaration, all levels of state govern- owner we were in a race. Everyone is just bounc- their neighbors in need, Governor ment were prepared for the storms and were in a position to respond once they The real scope of the destruction became clear when Sue returned after Cuomo launched “Labor for Your the storm had passed. “Coming into the store was incredible – the mud ing back. The state relief has helped the commu- hit New York. For example, the Department of State Division of Code Enforcement nity and given me more trust in government. I’ve Neighbor,” a Labor Day weekend and Administration (DCEA) created and led a program that paired DCEA staff with and the sludge,” she says. “The water was higher than expected. Every- thing I had tried to bring upstairs to protect it from the fl ood toppled over.” done a lot of the fl owers in the village – it helps eff ort to tap into the good neigh- 95 volunteer municipal code enforcement offi cials to assist communities with the lift up people. Some people, especially tourists, bor instincts of New Yorkers and task of evaluating fl ood damaged buildings. The volunteers were deputized as The cleanup by Sue and her family and friends to remove the debris come in, and they don’t even know we had been rally volunteers to pitch-in on lo- Assistants to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Governor’s Executive from the store was soon interrupted by emergency personnel. “The other through a fl ood. We’re all just working together to cal clean-ups of public and private Order declaring a State Disaster Emergency. The designation enabled local code nearby buildings had shifted,” she explains, “and we had to leave our help each other because we all know what we’ve property following the devasta- enforcement volunteers to perform rapid building assessments in neighborhoods store. We had a half hour to get whatever we wanted out of the building. been through.” tion of the hurricane. The Governor outside of their jurisdiction under the protection of state coverage. Assessments and members of his family joined performed under this program helped aff ected communities to apply for feder- thousands of New Yorkers who al and state disaster relief funding. Initial requests for assistance were received turned out to help their neighbors, through the Offi ce of Emergency Management as part of the state’s coordinated bringing tools, elbow grease and response. As a result of this program, DCEA and local volunteers evaluated ap- volunteers to the Schoharie Valley, proximately 13,000 buildings in eight counties over a period of 17 days. Catskills and North Country, where the storm brought extensive dam- age. Volunteers were shuttled into Ensuring Rapid Response for Insurance Claims villages and provided assistance The governor directed Department of Financial Services (DFS) Superintendent Ben- in cleaning out homes and other jamin Lawsky and his department to help New Yorkers with their insurance claims. buildings, shoveling mud from DFS put all companies that sell homeowners’ and auto insurance on alert to be pre- basements and removing debris. pared to handle claims. DFS participated by providing assistance at the local emer- For those who could not contrib- gency operations centers and sent the Department’s mobile unit and staff to the ute their physical labor, the gov- hard hit areas to provide on the spot advice and assistance to consumers. When ernor urged New Yorkers to help state offi cials heard the many complaints from citizens and business owners about their neighbors by contributing insurers who were slow to respond in handling their claims, DFS intervened to get goods or fi nancial donations. New York property insurance companies to follow New York’s rules for fairness and The street in front of the Cheese Barrel in Margaretville becomes a river during the fl ood. promptness when servicing customers with federal fl ood insurance. 6 7 Timeline Voices ofResilience eslie Price is the owner of J. Lacy Hair Salon, with loca- Ltions in Schoharie and Middle- burgh. She experienced devastat- ing destruction from the storms. “You can’t imagine what the salon was like,” she remembers. “My sa- lon in Schoharie was completely destroyed. Things that were in the front were slammed into the back, things that were in the back were in the front. You couldn’t make heads or tails of anything. There was 4 feet of water in the salon that ruined everything. Mud was splattered everywhere. I had just refurbished it in March, now it was mud, silt and stench. My salon in Middleburgh had antiques, a massage room, a waxing room, and that one was destroyed too with all the equipment.” Leslie also had to contend with severe damage to her home. “We slid through the mud to see my one-fl oor house with eight foot ceilings that had 7’6” of Category Three water, which can have oil and other contaminants; it’s the worse fl ood water there is,” she explains. “The house’s back walls were disconnected from the foundation. Six times I had water pumped out of the house to separate “If it wasn’t for the water from fuel oil. The house was fi nally torn down in grants, I don’t know September 2011 in order to rebuild.” where I’d be. I am reopening the salon The damage in the town of Schoharie was equally cata- on Tuesday, August strophic. “The silt was just terrible, and the odor in the 28th, a year to the village was horrifi c and nauseating – like propane mixed day of the event, and with fuel oil and mud and crude,” she describes. “My better than ever.” mind was boggled by it all.” -Leslie Price “Financially, I lost everything I had worked my whole life A damaged supermarket in Margaretville Owner, Lacy Hair Salon for,” she says tearfully. “After the initial shock, you start putting together, ‘What do I do now?’ I emptied my re- tirement savings. I sold what little jewelry and mismatched gold I had. I personally had no idea where to go.” Keeping the Empire State Open for Business Fortunately, the state was able to help Leslie Countless businesses were assisted in the aftermath of the historic storms. Working with local offi cials, the state recover. “I received $20,000 that all went to the was able to help in retaining almost 2,400 jobs from just two companies alone. salon,” she explains. “The front of the business Amphenol Aerospace, a company that had been severely impacted by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee was pushed out and had to be replaced. I got the air conditioning unit repaired, and replaced the was contemplating leaving New York, and taking with it over 950 local jobs. However, the company has remained tanning booth. The place was gutted to the fl oor in Sidney, Delaware County, after receiving a business assistance and retention package of approximately $34 joist. I just paid off the furnace guy. If it wasn’t for million from the state. Amphenol Aerospace, a division of Amphenol Corporation, is one of the world’s largest the grants, I don’t know where I would be.” manufacturers of interconnect products for the military, commercial aerospace, and industrial markets. The destroyed interior of the J. Lacy Salon in the “I was very pleased that the state came through,” immediate aftermath of the fl oods. The incentive package was funded by Empire State Development and New York State Homes and Community Leslie says. “I think the governor and the state handled it well. I was promised the Renewal’s Offi ce of Community Renewal. money, I was counting on it and I was very elated when it was in the account.” Additionally, BAE Systems, a global defense, security, and aerospace company, kept its operations in the area due Leslie continues to get back on her feet and is rightfully proud of the progress she has to state support and assistance, retaining its 1,350 employees in the Southern Tier. (See BAE’s Voices of Resilience made. “I keep going forward, you can’t look backward,” she says. “I am in a FEMA story on page 12.) trailer on my property, and I am reopening the salon on Tuesday August 28th, a year to the day of the event, and better than ever.”

8 9 Breakdown of Assistance by County Primary Broome Delaware Essex Greene Orange Schoharie Tioga Recipient Overview Individuals and $3.8 m $0.7m $0.2 m $1.2 m $1.8 m $1.2 m $2.0 m of Families Storm Relief Businesses $2.2 m $0.8 m $0.3 m $1.3 m $0.7 m $1.6 m $1.3 m Community Service Block Farms $0.4 m $0.1 m $0.2 m $0.4 m $1.9 m $1.8 m $0.8 m New York Assists Grant (CSBG) Disaster Relief Municipalities $19.6 m $8.2 m $3.8 m $9.1 m $14.0 m $26.5 m $14.5 m Transportation Individuals and Families Objective: To provide low-income $4.9 m $2.3 m $6.6 m $33.0 m $8.7 m $10.8 m $3.5 m families and individuals with lost Costs Environmental Disaster Emergency Furnace Program (HEAP) household items, replace food in $1.7 m $0.7 m $1.5 m $1.7 m $2.0 m $6.3 m $2.3 m Projects Objective: To assist households with heating or hot water food pantries and provide emergen- emergencies. cy housing, food, clothing, transpor- TOTAL $32.6 m $12.8 m $12.6 m $46.7 m $29.1 m $48.2 m $24.4 m tation, medical assistance and safe Recipients: Owner-occupied households below 60 percent drinking water. of state median income. Recipients: Local community action ■ Rensselaer County - Commission on Economic Opportunity for the Greater Capi- Weatherization Assistance Program agencies in 13 counties. tal Region (CEO) used the funding to provide those in need with housing, clean drinking water, prepackaged meals and beds. CEO has also been providing advo- Examples of how these funds are Objective: To improve energy effi ciency by making home cacy, ongoing case management and assistance in linking members of the com- helping families get back on their feet improvements (insulation, weather stripping and health and munity to other resources. safety repairs) or assisting with refrigerator and appliance re- include: placement. ■ Ulster County – The Ulster County Community Action Committee provided warm Schoharie County - The Schoha- ■ meals, clean drinking water, temporary housing and rental assistance, generators, rie Community Action Program Recipients: Households that earn less than 60 percent of state home cleaning supplies, fl ashlights and batteries and vouchers which could be Inc. (SCCAP) was awarded CSBG median income. Both homeowners and tenants are eligible. used at local businesses for clothing, bedding, shoes and school supplies. Items are selected based on an energy audit and must have 1 funds by the Department of State to 1 savings to investment ratio. to provide basic services including ■ Orange County - Two community action agencies, Newburgh Community Action housing, transportation and food Committee, Inc. and Regional Economic Community Action Program, Inc., provid- Tioga Opportunities used funds from the HEAP Disaster Emer- A voluntter delivers bottled water assistance to underserved com- ed emergency medical services, school supplies, emergency transportation, shel- gency Furnace Program, and from its existing allocations in munities. Many of the people to ter and other direct services. the Weatherization Assistance Program to serve disaster vic- whom SCAAP provided services ew York created a series of programs to assist indi- tims in Broome and Tioga Counties. They have continued pri- lost their homes to fl ooding, and ■ Montgomery/Fulton Counties - The Fulmont Community Action Agency provid- viduals and businesses in need. Over $277 million oritizing disaster victims in WAP during their 2012 contract. needed emergency housing assis- ed families with clean clothes, clean water, bagged lunches and emergency trans- was provided in direct aid programs throughout Tioga utilizes an in-house crew of local workers, supplement- tance. SCAAP helped identify safe, portation to and from work, the grocery store or the doctor. New York state, including almost $137 million to ed by subcontractors, to make energy effi ciency repairs with aff ordable temporary housing and the seven hardest hit counties – Broome, Dela- WAP funds. Improvements include furnace, hot water tank provided short-term fi nancial assis- Nware, Greene, Orange, Schoharie, Tioga and Essex. In addition, and refrigerator replacement, weather stripping, air sealing, tance for upfront costs for lodging. $297 million was spent by the state on transportation storm insulation and window replacement. Additionally, federal They also supplied consumers with response to restore roads and bridges statewide. WAP regulations permit health and safety repairs when nec- food and gas cards to enable them essary for energy work. The agency has been leveraging other to get to and from work and the resources to make additional home repairs, including private grocery store. United Way donations, NYSERDA Em- power funding and federal housing ■ Essex County - The Adirondack State Storm Aid Overview funds in partnership with organiza- Community Action Programs, Inc tions like First Ward Action Council (ACAP) is using CSBG funds award- Number of Total Awarded Statewide ed by the Department of State to Primary Recipient and Opportunities for Chenango. They Programs have accepted referrals from Metro In- help 150 families who lost their terfaith, the Binghamton Housing Au- homes to relocate. ACAP also pro- Individuals and Families 5 $31.6 m thority and local Offi ces for the Aging. vided cribs, bedding, diapers and Businesses 2 $10.1 m Tioga Opportunities participates in the other essentials for infants and ba- Broome County COAD and Tioga Area bies. Some towns made food shel- Farms 4 $9.9 m Resource Partners, and is assisting the ters available and ACAP helped to Municipalities 3 $194.4 m Christian Reformed World Relief Com- fi ll in the gaps and provided food mittee or “Green Shirts” in complet- for those in need, as well as assis- Transportation Costs* N/A $297 m tance to those who lost furniture, * = Some costs to be federally reimbursed ing an assessment of needs related to storm damage in Broome and Tioga washers, dryers and beds. Environmental Projects 3 $31.2 m County. TOTAL 17 $574.2 m

10 11 Governor Cuomo and local and national offi cials comfort residents of Prattsville Houshold Appliance Rebate Program NYS Direct Aid Programs Objective: To help residents cover the costs of replac- Program Projected Program Total ing vital household appliances and equipment that were damaged by the storms. Rebates were a fi xed Disaster Emergency Furnace Repair (HEAP) $2.4 m amount for each appliance/equipment and could cover up to 100 percent of the costs of a purchase. Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) $3.8 m

Recipients: Residents in 45 counties replaced 808 re- CSBG Disaster Relief (DOS) $890 k frigerators, 1,645 clothes washers, 1,456 clothes dry- ers, 1,307 dehumidifi ers, 697 hot water heaters (gas, Household Appliance Rebate Program (NYSERDA) $6.8 m electric and heat pump), 441 furnaces and 346 boilers. Food Stamp Benefit (OTDA) $17.8 m Food Stamps - Disaster Supplemental State and Local Shares of FEMA Aid $186.4 m Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) Objective: To provide immediate assistance to ensure Neighborhood Rebuilding Corps. (DOL) $7.1 m Flood waters take over North Avenue in Owego families did not go hungry in the wake of the storm. Community Recovery Grants (DOS) $878 k Recipients: Individuals or families who lost food, their Agriculture Disaster Energy Efficiency Program (PSC, NYSERDA) $2.1 m home, their job, access to their bank or had disaster- related expenses not expected to be eligible for reim- ACRF – Soil and Water Conservation $4.6 m bursement. ACRF – Farm Operation Match $2.3 m ACRF – Capital On-Farm Needs $197 k ARCF – Main Street Business Assistance $3.0 m Business Flood Recovery Grant Program (ESD) $7.8 m Voices of Resilience Hurricane Emergency Loan Program - HELP (EFC) $15.2 m Flood Mitigation Grant Program (DEC) $9.0 m AE Systems, a global defense, Dan Gobel, President, BAE Systems Controls, Inc., said, “We security, and aerospace compa- “Our ability to are grateful to Governor Cuomo, Lieutenant Governor Duffy, NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection program – Local Match $6.9 m Bny, saw its Main Street facility in recover our and the entire economic development team for the diligence Johnson City in Broome County sus- business in with which they have supported us in the wake of the fl ooding. tain major fl ood damage in the after- the Southern Our ability to recover our business in the Southern Tier would math of Hurricane Irene. At the height Tier would not have been possible without the state’s involvement.” of the fl ooding, BAE offi cials report the not have plant was inundated with 16 million been possible The BAE support was in addition to over $50M in state fl ood aid gallons of water. Damages ran in the without to the region that included: grants to small businesses, farms New York Assists Busineses tens of millions of dollars, with some the state’s and non-profi ts; fl ood mitigation and control projects; and prop- of the plant’s custom-made machinery involvement.” erty tax relief to homeowners. While signing a law at Greater Main Street Business Assistance Program destroyed. -Dan Gobel Binghamton Airport in December 2011 to provide relief to com- Objective: To help address the immediate needs of local businesses, including the rehabilitation, rebuilding and/or restora- President, BAE Systems munities devastated by the storms, Governor Cuomo said, “We tion of fl ood-damaged commercial buildings in communities across Upstate New York. The company announced in October Controls, Inc. must continue to work to make sure all those who were hit hard 2011 that it would not be returning to by these storms have the resources they need.” Recipients: 6 counties ($500k each) to assist businesses/buildings with reimbursement of interior and exterior repairs to the Johnson City facility and was looking to relocate. structural damage caused by the storms, and to repair and/or replace permanent fi xtures and equipment, as well as inven- Losing the company in the region would have meant a tory and working capital losses caused by the storms. staggering impact on the local economy, families, com- munities and school districts as BAE is one of the largest employers in the area. Business Flood Recovery Grant Program Objective: To provide grants to eligible small business, not-for-profi t organizations, farms or owners of multiple dwellings To assist BAE in remaining local, the state put together an incentive package of $40 million in job and investment- that sustained direct physical fl ood-related damage. Grants provided 50% of the eligible loss not to exceed $20,000 and related tax credits over a fi ve-year period. BAE Systems could be used for storm-related repairs and restoration of structures, and for other storm-related costs, which either have not Vice President and General Manager of Electronic Sys- or will not be compensated by any other federal, state or local recovery program or any third-party payors. Losses are actual tems Dan Gobel said, “BAE Systems was fortunate to and direct physical fl ood related damage to structures or items used in an applicant’s business operation. fi nd a great partner in New York State following the dev- astation to our Johnson City facility.” Thanks to the state Recipients: To date, 580 grants worth $7.9 million have been made in 31 counties to businesses, owners of multi-family support and assistance, BAE relocated its facility just dwellings, not-for-profi ts and farms. seven miles away to nearby Endicott, New York, keeping its operations in Broome County and retaining its 1,350 employees in the region. BAE’s fl ooded facility in Johnson City, NY

12 13 Voices of Resilience avid Lloyd is the co-owner of Maple Downs Farm II in back. “The state stuck with us,” he says, “and really put Middleburgh, Schoharie County. When the storms of 2011 the effort in. I hear good comments from my neighbors Dhit, his farm faced a literal life-and-death crisis. “We had 8 about the state, that it did a good job, and was defi nitely feet of water all across the farm,” he describes. “The fl ood water a help in getting things back going.” came in in less than half an hour’s time. We lost a whole year’s worth of stored feed, 200 acres of standing corn and 47 head of The funding from New York State not only helped David dairy cattle, mostly young ones, out of about 300 total. All of our rebuild, but was the lifeline that helped the farm survive equipment was under water – 9 tractors, our car, we lost three the year. “We lost a year’s worth of stored feed in in- trucks. It was devastating.” ventory, a loss that was over $450,000,” he says. “We qualifi ed for relief from the state that helped us buy a portion of the feed to get us through the winter. We were also able to get state funds to pay for part of the expenses toward getting driveways and roadways back, putting the fence back in shape and replac- ing some of our damaged Governor Cuomo with Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack, Senator Gillibrand and other offi cials on a fl ood-aff fected farm in Middleburgh equipment.” One year later, David sees the Middleburgh commu- nity as well on the road to recovery. “We are in pretty New York Assists Farms good shape here,” he de- scribes. “Our town has Agriculture Disaster Energy Effi ciency Program and Westchester counties. For land to be eligible, pretty much recovered. Objective: To return farms to productive and viable operations the natural disaster must have created new conser- Our elected offi cials in Al- by replacing electric and natural gas systems damaged in the vation problems. bany are out there working hard to get things going. storms with new energy effi cient systems. Agricultural and Community Recovery There was about $1 mil- Recipients: Farms in 20 counties are receiving incentives for re- lion damage to our roads, placing and repairing systems such as: milking parlor pumps, Fund – Farm Operation Match but the town is pretty much back in shape. Many businesses are up and running. Mid- motors and compressors on dairy farms; lighting, heating and Objective: To provide emergency funding to assist David needed to take extreme efforts to manage the aftermath fl ood-aff ected farms to address costs of replacing and keep his farm going. “The dairy barn was out of commis- dleburgh looks very good, and attitudes for the most part ventilation in greenhouses; and irrigation systems and cold are that things are good.” storage on vegetable farms. lost crops intended to feed livestock, and crops to sion for a period of time, so we had to move our dairy cows to meet the obligations of Community Supported Ag- another location,” he remembers. “It took a riculture (CSAs), farm stands and farmers participat- period of time to work things out with the in- Agricultural and Community Recovery Fund – “I was real surance companies, so it took a little while ing in farmers markets. impressed. to rebuild.” Soil and Water Conservation The state did Objective: Conservation component of this funding was pro- Recipients: 210 farms/farm operations in 23 coun- a lot, and did David was very pleased at how quickly the vided to the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets as ties . it pretty quick. state sprung into action with help. “The emergency funding for soil and water districts to assist in reha- The state state was awesome,” he says. “The gov- bilitating farmland damaged by natural disasters and prevent Agricultural and Community Recovery stuck with us, ernor was out in the community within a further degradation of natural resources through the imple- and really put week of the fl ood, and did a lot through this Fund – Capital-on-Farm Needs the effort in.” whole thing. The agriculture commissioner mentation or repair of Emergency Conservation Best Manage- Objective: To provide funding for capital losses. ment Practices. -David Lloyd was on the farm twice. Things happened, I Eligible costs included certain minor structural re- Co-owner, Maple was real impressed. The state did a lot, and Down Farms II Recipients: Eligible counties evolved over the course of the pairs, permanant fi xtures and equipment. did it pretty quick.” two disasters and encompassed 29 in total including Albany, Recipients: A total of 18 farms in 11 counties re- David was also appreciative that the state Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, didn’t just pay attention to the community right after the storm, ceived assistance. Flood waters inundate the dairy barn at Maple Down Farms II Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Herkimer, Lewis, Montgomery, Oneida, but sustained its involvement for as long as it took to come Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suff olk, Sullivan, Tioga, Ulster, Warren, Washington

14 15 New York Assists “The fresh asphalt is still of sticky. But two lanes of Voices Resilience Municipalities Route 73 from Interstate am Gil is the owner of Sam’s settle down, you realize other people have 87’s Exit 30 to Keene Valley Country Store – what his web- gone through things like this, people recov- Non- Federal Share of FEMA are open… site describes as “a convenient er, people get back on their feet. We are not Public Assistance Sand modern store and gas sta- going to be the exception.” Community Development Block Grant Three massive washouts, tion with a small town heart in a great American community” – Fleischmanns “They say what doesn’t kill you makes Disaster Relief fi ve cavernous holes plus you stronger, and I can tell you, that is 24 other damaged areas in Delaware County. In the wake of Hurricane Irene and Tropi- true,” he summarizes. and ruined shoulders are Sam talks about how no one could be cal Storm Lee, along with other disasters Sam recalls the repaired. It took seven prepared by what they encountered that occurred nationwide in 2011, the with last year’s storms: “We were ex- hard work by the U.S. Congress appropriated $400 million days, 27 contractor trucks, pecting high winds, but no one was ex- state to make for disaster relief in the form of Commu- 150,000 tons of stone and pecting water. On Saturday before Irene sure that people had the basic ne- nity Development Block Grants Disaster round-the-clock attention came through, we put away anything Relief (CDBG DR). New York State will re- that could get blown or fl y away. Be- cessities in the ceive a total of $93 million in CDBG DR with daily reports to Cuomo, tween 8:00 - 9:00 AM on Sunday, all of immediate after- funding, more than any other state. Or- but the job is done... sudden we saw water come in from all math of the story. ange County and the Town of Union will over, without any warning. People who “Because of the ’[O]n Labor Day, the gov- were eating breakfast left right away, we storm, there was receive funds directly from the U.S. De- ernor said it would take 10 nothing to drink, partment of Housing and Urban Devel- closed the store, and took off. By 6:00 days; that was seven days – 7:00 we came back, to see how ev- you couldn’t get opment, $11.2 million and $10.1 million any food,” he ago. It’s amazing,’ [Firefi ght- erything was. With all the water running respectively. The New York State Offi ce of on Main Street, all the trees that were says. “The state- Housing and Community Renewal will re- Sam Gil and his team from owned Belleayre er Ron] Konowitz said of the down, I couldn’t get to the store at all. Sam’s Country Store ceive funds totaling $71.7 million which expeditious work. ‘I just can’t When I came back Monday, everything ski resort was used as a hub for food and clothing distribu- will be used to assist in meeting the non- believe how they fi xed it.’” was knocked down and water dam- Federal share of FEMA projects. aged, and we had all this mud inside tion. Whatever people needed, they headed - Press-Republican (Plattsburgh), the store and outside on the parking lot.” out to Belleayre and they had it. The state September 13, 2011 (Kim Smith did an amazing job providing for people’s Neighborhood The offi cial reopening of Route 73 after it was washed away by Hurricane Irene Dedam, reporter) The damage to Sam’s needs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were Rebuilding Corps “The state store was substantial. sent down to the Fleischmann’s fi rehouse. Objective: To hire temporary workers to did an “In my kitchen and deli,” Everyone who needed it was going to be assist in the recovery eff ort by restoring amazing job Sam explains, “that fed. I was so happy that the state did a great New York Repairs and expects $7,981,461 in federal re- public infrastructure and services and providing was the area the water job in a situation like that.” imbursement, and the Canal Corpora- came through, the fl oor providing humanitarian assistance to vic- for people’s tion spent $113,994,507 and expects and walls were dam- It was the help from government and his tims of the disaster. Highways and Bridges needs. All $85,505,880 in federal reimbursement. aged. Everything was community that helped pull Sam and his As a result of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, more than 400 road segments of the relief family through as well. “We had ordered Recipients: 17 counties received grants, has been fl ipped and turned. and bridges were closed on the State highway system. In addition, every major rail The NYSBA spent The compressors for a lot of things for Labor Day weekend,” he and as of May 2012, 445 participants had Bridge Authority: helping out route in eastern New York was severed by fl ooding and washouts. $48,810 for Irene storm costs related to the walk in cooler were explains. “All of our merchandise got de- been enrolled. a lot. monitoring, response and repair across underwater. Total dam- stroyed, and it hadn’t even been paid for Within ten days of each event, the State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) had -Sam Gil yet. The money started to come and help us its fi ve vehicle bridge facilities in Rock- Owner, Sam’s age overall was 100% re-opened more than 80 percent of those closed roads and bridges – many of those get back on our feet, all of that relief and all Community Recovery land, Westchester, Putnam, Orange, Ul- Country Store – there was no area of ahead of schedule – and continued work on the infrastructure that suff ered the most the community that got together. We were Strategy Grants ster, Dutchess, Columbia and Greene the store that wasn’t extensive damage and required signifi cant reconstruction. In March, 2012, NYSDOT damaged.” able to buy equipment and materials and counties. All costs were expended in Objective: Assist communities with the received the Award of Merit from the American Council of Engineering Companies inventory. All of the relief has been helping 2011 from Bridge Authority operat- most fl ood damage and least capacity of New York for its extraordinary response to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Sam categorized the damage he saw a lot.” to recover on their own by developing a ing funds, generated from toll rev- as “shocking.” “When you see a mov- enue. Seventy-fi ve percent of the cost ie about Afghanistan, a country that is A year later, Sam can see a great deal of strategy for how they will rebuild and re- Total costs for the transportation storm response was $297 million, incurred among progress. “We completely renovated the duce their vulnerability to future fl ood NYSDOT, the New York State Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation, New York ($36,607) was reimbursed in 2012 by at war, everything that is destroyed – Fleischmanns looked like that,” Sam dining area from scratch, which is about events. Community recovery strategies: State Bridge Authority (NYSBA) and the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). The FEMA funds specifi cally designated for 90% completed. We did sheet rock, insula- Hurricane Irene assistance. says. “Cars on top of cars, a car on top identify specifi c rebuilding projects; priori- agency work breaks down as follows: of a tree, trees down on Main Street, tion and new fl oors in other areas as well. tize projects that have the most signifi cant I am way ahead of the game in terms of NYSDOT: DOT spent more than $116 million on highway and bridge repairs at 945 lo- MTA: The MTA spent $59.6 million of mountains of dirt and debris. When recovery value and can be accomplished you go through something like this, you where I expected to be with rebuilding. I cations statewide as a result of the extensive damage caused by the storms. Approxi- operating funds for storm costs. This thought it was going to be 2-3 years to be in the short term and long term; and in- includes $25.3 million by Metro-North scratch your head, and can’t imagine it clude an implementation strategy that mately $108 million of this amount is eligible for federal reimbursement through the happened. You’ve seen it on TV in oth- back on my feet.” Federal Highway Authority (FHWA) and FEMA. Rail Road, $17.3 million by New York identifi es next steps for implementing pri- er places, but it is completely different Sam sees similar recovery for the town he City Transit, $8.9 million by Bridges and when you live through it.” ority projects, including funding sources. Thruway: The Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation spent a combined Tunnels, $5.9 million by Rail obviously cares deeply about: “If you drive Recipients: 18 towns and villages (or $123,002,139 cleaning up in the aftermath of the storms, and performed clean up Road, $1.6 million by MTA Bus Company, Sam admits that at times it was challeng- through Main Street in Fleischmanns, you and reconstruction operations in Greene, Orange, Rockland, Suff olk, Westchester, Al- $311,000 by Long Island Bus, $185,000 ing to stay determined. “I felt knocked will see houses being repaired. Slowly, all counties or not-for-profi ts applying on of us are getting back on our feet.” their behalf) receiving $877,796. bany, Columbia, Ulster, Montgomery, Schoharie, Schenectady, Herkimer and Tioga by MTA Headquarters and $150,000 by down,” he says. “There were moments counties. Combined, the agencies expect reimbursements from FEMA and FHWA Railway. FEMA will reim- I wanted to walk away. But once you in the amount of $93,477,341. Specifi cally, the Thruway Authority spent $9,007,632 burse the MTA for most of the costs, but 17 16 amounts are still being determined. New York Makes tingent on obtaining 25 percent state assistance. Governor Cuo- Environmental Conservation Personnel mo’s commitment of state funds to this critical project allowed Rescue Stranded New Yorkers Environmental it to commence. The project will implement a natural channel design approach to provide a sustainable solution, rather than Not only did Department of Environmental Conservation Improvements a temporary band-aid. Eff orts will be made to recreate the nat- work to restore damage to waterways, its police offi cers ural curves of the creek to help control water speed, temper and forest rangers were involved in dozens of acts of her- Restoring Damaged Waterways hydraulic forces and promote bank stability. In addition, bank oism in the rescue of New Yorkers during the storms. The unprecedented fl ood water levels caused by “armoring” will be used to protect erosion-prone sections, and Fallsburgh Rescues (Sullivan County): In Sullivan Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee resulted eff orts will be made to reconnect the stream to its traditional County, DEC’s offi cers assisted Fallsburgh Police with the in extensive damage to the state’s waterways. fl oodplain, taking more energy out of the stream, especially in evacuation of the Alladin Hotel and Bungalow Colony. Many waterways and surrounding buff er lands high water events. Flood waters blocked access to the bungalows, trapping were scoured down to bedrock and deprived tenants inside. DEC offi cers waded through quickly rising of their ability to properly absorb future storms, Ida Lane Stream Restoration (Ulster County): In Ulster County, waters to assist the stranded residents. In all, DEC offi cers putting public and private infrastructure in fur- the Village of Ellenville sustained massive infrastructure damage cleared three buildings and physically carried 10 children ther jeopardy. Immediately after the storms, the to water mains, sewage treatment facilities and water delivery out of the fl ooded buildings to dry ground. By the time governor directed the state to work with its fed- systems from Hurricane Irene. Stream bank erosion severely im- the Woodbourne Fire Department arrived with boats, eral partners and local communities on a plan pacted more than a dozen homes on Ida Lane. To prevent similar DEC was able to remove the remaining children and to restore the most heavily impacted streams. eff ects from future storms, the governor awarded $73,000 in NY adults from the last of four fl ooded bungalows. All people In July 2012, the state announced $16 million in Works Flood Mitigation Grant Program Funding to leverage fed- stranded were safely removed. NY Works grants and local match support to 26 Gilboa Dam eral funding for a total restoration project of nearly $300,000. The counties so that restoration work could begin project will reconstruct several stream channel structures to halt Keene Rescues (Essex County): Flash fl ooding caused this summer season. The state’s commitment “In the months after the storms, there was an unprecedented further bank erosion, remove two very large in stream debris piles by Hurricane Irene resulted in several Keene households and result in the return of the steam to its original channel. leveraged an additional $44 million in federal cooperative effort between state, federal and local governments being overtaken by the rapidly rising Ausable River. DEC’s and local funding, for a grand total of $60 mil- to assess stream damage and design projects and proposals that Tracy Creek Restoration (Broome County): Floodwaters along Ray Brook Dispatch was contacted by state police advising lion directed toward more than 200 restoration that 2 adults and 3 dogs were trapped in a residence with respected the natural functions of streams and related wetlands.” the Tracy Creek caused severe damage to the creek and adja- projects across the state. Eligible projects in- cent stream bank, threatening local residences and structures. waters rising quickly. DEC Rangers attempted to reach the clude: stream debris removal; gravel removal in -The Mountain Eagle (Stamford), July 19, 2012 (Liz Page, reporter) $126,700 of NY Works Flood Mitigation Grant Program Funding home with a boat but were unable due to very strong river or directly around bridges and culverts; stream will leverage an additional $380,200 to provide for the installa- currents. Rangers brought an airboat into Keene after be- bank stabilization and restoration; and culvert tion of more than 1,000 feet of rock armoring and the removal ing routed via Elizabethtown by road closures. DEC Rangers replacement. The state’s eff orts were channeled reached the home when the airboat suff ered a major me- NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program- of 950 cubic yards of gravel that had piled up during the storms. through two programs: chanical failure, forcing rangers to evacuate the family to Local Match Commitment – $7 million This project will protect two homes and two private garages high ground with the cataraft and another boat. The family Flood Mitigation Grant Program – $9 million from future fl ood events. ■ Counties were able to secure over $40 million in federal dollars from was taken safely to a neighbor’s home on high ground. ■ The Flood Mitigation Grant Program made $9 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Emergency Watershed Batavia Kill (Greene County): In the Town of Ashland, Village of Schoharie Rescues (Schoharie County): DEC million available to counties. The program was Protection Program for eligible stream restoration projects. However, to $230,000 of New York Works Flood Mitigation Grant Program Division of Law Enforcement personnel assisted a swift- created as part of the Hurricane Irene –Tropical receive these dollars, counties had to provide a 25 percent local match— Funds will be used to match $692,000 in federal funding to sta- water rescue team in the Village of Schoharie. Due to the Storm Lee Flood Recovery Program in Decem- something that most of the fi nancially-strapped counties could not bilize and protect the town’s well and water system. Extreme severe weather conditions which initially prevented heli- ber 2011. DEC and Empire State Development aff ord. high water fl ows from Irene and Lee caused an the scouring of copter deployments, the swift water teams were often the reviewed grant applications from counties. a new channel along the Batavia Kill, jeopardizing the town’s only means of rescue available in dangerously fl ooded ar- ESD, in consultation with DEC, is administering ■ Recognizing this, the governor made $7 million in additional state fund- water system. This project will restore the degraded channel to eas. DEC law enforcement personnel were able to guide the program. Grants ranged from a minimum ing available to meet all the counties’ 25 percent local match obligations. pre-fl ood characteristics and stabilize the eroded area, using a the teams through washed out areas, lending critical of $300,000 to a maximum of $500,000 per The funds were made available out of remaining 2011 special session fl ood plain bench, armoring and bioengineering. assistance at one of the most tenuous points in the crisis. county. 23 counties received funding to sup- funds. Assistance is being given for 68 eligible projects to 18 counties that port 156 fl ood mitigation projects. were unable to secure all or part of their match. These state funds will leverage nearly $28 million in additional federal funding. ■ Applicants were encouraged to leverage other federal and local funding to supple- Restoring Waterways and Protecting Infrastructure ment project costs. The $9 million in state Little Restoration (Schoharie County): Schoharie Coun- funds was able to leverage nearly $13 million ty’s waterways were among the hardest hit by Irene and Lee. The force of the in federal funding by using a portion of these storms scoured fi ve miles of the Little Schoharie Creek down to bedrock, de- state funds as the 25 percent non-federal stroying natural curves of the waterway and undermining roads and bridges. match to 65 USDA Natural Resources Conser- In the creek’s fl oodplain, the fourth-generation Van Aller dairy farm on Clauv- vation Service (NRCS) Emergency Watershed erie Road in Middleburgh was inundated with water. Flood waters destroyed Protection Program approved projects. These barns, acres of planted corn and many cows. Other nearby farms and homes funds were also able to leverage an addi- were similarly impacted. To prevent the same thing from recurring during tional $3.2 million in local funding, through future, more minor storms, Schoharie County appealed to the state for help localities’ commitment of staff resources and in funding the restoration of the creek. The county was able to secure more use of local equipment. than $10 million of federal funding for the project but such funding was con-

A 100 foot section of dike in Warwick was blown out by the storms, allowing The 1,200 foot completed dike has widened the the Pochuck Creek to fl ow out and fl ood the adjoining crop fi elds fl oodplain and provided increased retention

18 19 “If the embankment had given way, the Mohawk The following would probably have cut a path around the dam and constitutes the twenty of the lock. … [The reinforcement] required 30 more Voices Resilience HELP loans made by trucks, plus state and local law enforcement assis- Environmental Facilities tance to help them wend their way through fl ood-tan- im Young is the owner of Arthur J. Young state providing not only its own relief Corporation (EFC) & Sons, a 54-year old garden center in but reimbursing the town’s for its con- gled traffi c. The pile of new material grew to almost Prattsville in Greene County that also tributions to the cleanup. “When the 130 loads – a blend of sand, gravel and roadbed ma- (1) Town of Ashland: Jprovides pet feed, hardware and hunting governor comes and very generously terial. The seepage was pinched off with a tourniquet $636,044 and fi shing equipment to the local community. says he is going to pick up the town’s weighing tons. By the time the job was fi nished after His home is 200 feet behind the store, and his share of expenses for the fl ood,” he (2) Town of Bethlehem: two sons who are part of the business also says, “I know I can stay here and midnight, the water level was already falling.” $1 million have homes in the town. not be taxed to death in order for the town to come back.” -Times-Union (Albany), September 5, 2011 (Casey Seiler, reporter) (3) City of Binghamton: Jim Young of Authur J. Young & Sons in Prattsville $1 million stands in front of his newly constructed store. “After what the state did (4) Town of Black Brook: for the town,” Jim says, Flooding from the Mowawk River in Schenectady $1 million “at some point I assume they are going to say that (5) Town of Cornwall: you are on your own. But Working with a swiftwater rescue team out of Franklin Greene County – the Town of Windham: $1 million it was pretty nice that County, DEC Sgt. Isles led the team through unfamiliar I was able to get help. routes around washed-out bridges and damaged roads. Following ruptures in the town’s sanitary sewer main and the (6) Village of Ellenville: They made the program Working cooperatively, DEC helped to rescue many res- destruction of emergency generators at two pump stations, the $1 million simple and uncomplicat- Town of Windham applied for $882,000 in HELP funds. Restoring ed. I was very happy with idents of the Parsonage Pines senior apartments. (7) Village of Endicott: vital infrastructure helped Windham prepare to host two major the way it went.” $1 million sporting events – The Warrior Run and the 2012 UCI Mountain Hurricane Emergency Loan Jim’s business received Bike World Cup. While thousands of spectators came to Windham (8) Village of Granville: Program (HELP) a $20,000 grant from to witness the international bike riders, more than 25,000 people $1 million the Empire State Devel- At Governor Cuomo’s direction, the New York State entered the Warrior Race, bringing a much-needed boost to the (9) Town of Jay: opment, the maximum Environmental Facilities Corporation created the Hur- local economy. This boost also helped other mountaintop com- $1 million award for which he was ricane Emergency Loan Program (HELP), providing a munities near Windham, noted Windham Town Supervisor Ste- eligible. “It helps with the total of $25 million in interest-free loans for the repair phen Walker. (10) Village of Johnson City: Jim and his family faced heartbreaking damage façade, the land- of drinking water and wastewater systems damaged $1 million from the storms. Even though the Young’s main “I think scape, the signage, by the storms. Twenty municipalities took advantage Washington County – Village of Granville: the state the windows, the air (11) Town of Lloyd: store building is several hundred feet from the of this fi rst-ever program, applying for a total of $18.8 creek, it was inundated with several feet of wa- responded conditioning – the million in loans ranging between $500,000 and $1 mil- The Village of Granville responded quickly when the HELP loans $1 million very well. things that make were announced, applying for the maximum $1 million to restore ter and sustained thousands of dollars of lost lion each. inventory. “The fl oods literally lifted the store off I felt good for a pleasant shop- the village’s wastewater plant and drinking water wellfi eld that (12) Village of Monticello: $935,000 of the foundation, repositioned it and ripped a about ping experience,” he The governor initiated a faster approval process in were damaged by Tropical Storm Lee. Commenting on the HELP wing off,” Jim describes. Jim, his wife Peggy, being in says. order to get repairs underway quickly in communi- loan, Granville Public Works Superintendent Dan Williams said, (13) Town of New Windsor: their two sons and three dogs even took refuge New York.” Jim has been very ties that had lost vital drinking water and wastewater “For the village of Granville, it was fantastic. We honestly were not $1 million on the roof of a utility building at one point dur- -Jim Young satisfi ed with the sure where or how we were going to come up with the money ing the fl ood. Owner, Arthur J. systems. HELP loans allowed communities to swiftly progress his busi- restore water lines, pump stations, treatment plants [for repairs]. So this took an awful big load off our shoulders be- (14) City of Norwich: Young & Sons $850,321 The damage didn’t stop at the store, however. Garden Center ness has been able and other critical infrastructure. Communities have up cause instead of taking time to come up with the money, we were to make in one short able to get right to work on fi xing the damage. I hope this never “My house had fi ve feet of water in the kitchen,” to fi ve years to repay these no-cost loans and can use (15) Town of Owego: Jim remembers. “My son’s house a quarter mile year. After a substantial reconstruc- FEMA recovery funds for repayment. happens again, but if it does I hope this option is available again.” $1 million down the road had four feet of water inside, had tion, Young’s has returned to full op- the porch ripped off, and had a trench outside erations, and has been expanding HELP loans were among the fi rst recovery funds to be Schenectady County – City of Schenectady: The storms caused (16) Village of Owego: their store and offerings to meet new extensive damage to Schenectady’s wastewater system, includ- $500,000 that created a 20 feet drop when you stepped received by many storm-damaged communities, in- out the front door.” needs created by Hurricane Irene ing the North Ferry Street Pump Station, an historic structure cluding: (17) Town of Peru: and its aftermath. “I’ve really come built in 1913. Flood waters from the completely $1 million In addition to the fi nancial toll, the storm packed back incredibly fast,” he says. “I am Essex County – Towns of Jay and Black Brook: Hur- inundated the control and electrical systems, as well as the emer- an emotional wallop, too. “There is a psycho- ordering things for a new extension.” ricane Irene destroyed a water line that served 650 gency generator, leading Schenectady to apply for a $1 million (18) City of Schenectady: logical destruction that has happened that is homes. With a $1 million HELP loan, a new water line HELP loan. $1 million very real,” Jim says. “You always hear about He credits at least part of that recov- – encased in concrete and buried six feet below the tragedy and devastation, but I didn’t think it ery to the quick and effective support Ausable River – was constructed in January, according Orange County – Town of New Windsor: The storms caused (19) Village of Schoharie: would come here. I thought I would be the one from the state. “The money came just to Town of Jay Supervisor Randall Douglas. “The HELP major damage to the wastewater treatment system, knocking $1 million sending the checks to other people, and now like they said it would,” he explains. “I out pumping systems and controls and fi lling tanks with gravel I am the one getting the help. It’s incredibly think the state responded very well. loan was desperately needed,” Douglas said, noting (20) Town of Windham: It was like the state said, ‘Hey, they that town residents had been relying on a fi re hose to and other debris. The town’s drinking water system was also dam- emotional. It takes so much to get back going $882,000 psychologically. In many ways, it was the mess need help, what can we do for them?’ deliver water to homes and businesses. aged when a water line under the was shut down. They did well keeping the politics out With its $1 million HELP loan, New Windsor is making those re- Total closed amount: even more than the money.” $18,803,365 of it. I was happy with the response pairs along with the installation of a new line for drinking water. Jim was impressed that relief came from the and the programs they came out with. state, not just to him, but to the larger com- I felt good about being in New York.” munity as well. He particularly appreciated the 20 21 Lessons Actions “Now, with the state pick- Learned: and ing up the most eligible Progress expenses, costs associ- ated with emergency hile the response of state agencies was admirable, as in any Incident Management Teams shelter, road, water situation, we can learn lessons on how better to respond to system and infrastruc- DHSES will create fi ve additional region- future disaster situations. As a result of lessons learned during ture repair, stream and the storm, New York has proposed the following: ally-based Incident Management Teams W (IMTs) comprised of local public safety riverbed mitigation and Create Five Regional Disaster Logistics Centers and fi rst response personnel who have other cleanup projects received specialized training to support New York Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services will be covered. The localities and provide expertise during (DHSES) will work with state agencies, the National Guard and localities to state is able to cover emergency situations. New York currently put in place fi ve Disaster Logistics Centers in key regional locations across has one state-level and two locally-based the local share through the New York State. When completed, the state will have a total of fi ve IMTs, each of which was instrumental in funding put in place by regionally located stockpile and staging areas that can be used to store supporting disaster operations in two the State Legislature and emergency equipment and rescue vehicles, and provide expedited as- heavily fl ooded counties during the late sistance to local governments during emergencies. The Disaster Logistics additional federal funds summer storms of 2011. Centers will ensure that the state has resources and equipment pre-posi- requested by Cuomo.” tioned in areas where they would be most needed during an emergency. First Responder Network and Statewide -Register-Star (Hudson), April 13, The centers will be located in the North Country, Western New York, Hud- Credentialing System 2012 (W. T. Eckert and Nathan son Valley, Southern Tier and Long Island. Mayberg, reporters) DHSES will create a new statewide network Placing the Right Equipment and Supplies in the Right Place of fi rst responders that will give localities The Regional Disaster Logistics Centers will ensure that the right vehicles access to emergency response personnel and equipment are in the right place to respond rapidly to an emergen- when needed. The network will enhance cy situation. Vehicles including ATVs, snowmobiles, high-clearance DOT uniform training across regions and agen- trucks and swift water rescue boats will be regionally positioned so they cies, and include an inventory of skills to can be deployed immediately. The centers will also have pre-positioned help match fi rst responder expertise with equipment and supplies, including generators, pumps, water fi lters, spe- emergency needs. The process is designed cialized rescue equipment, communications equipment and personal to create the best trained core of fi rst re- A sign in the town of Schoharie, refl ecting the spirit and resolve of residents all across New York State care items such as food, water, cots and blankets. sponders in the country, and will include one of the nation’s fi rst statewide creden- Statewide Emergency Network tialing systems to ensure that emergency personnel are given rapid access to disas- To coordinate the emergency response equipment distributed across New York ter scenes. numerous state agencies, DHSES will create a centralized inventory of all state agency assets that can be used to support local governments during Statewide Conference crises. The centralized inventory will also include a new vehicle identifi ca- Moves Forward tion system. Governor Cuomo will host a statewide Emergency Management Summit that will Establish Regional Rapid Response and Incident involve emergency management profes- Management Teams sionals from across the state and feature nationally and globally recognized experts learly, in just one year, the Empire State has made great strides in recovering from Hurricane Irene and Regional Rapid Response Teams on terrorism, natural disasters and emer- Tropical Storm Lee. The tenacity of New York’s people – buttressed by the support of state, local and federal DHSES will organize ten new Rapid Response Support Teams (RRSTs) gency preparedness. government, as well as the private and non-profi t sectors – has led to rebuilt and reopened homes, farms, roads and businesses. Communities continue on the road to recovery. The long term eff ects of the storms that will align with the new response areas to promptly deploy in emer- Sale of Unnecessary Equipment gency situations and coordinate state support with local governments. call for continued vigilance, from assessing what environmental improvements might be needed to prevent Cfl oods from future storms to seeing rebuilding eff orts through to their completion. The one year anniversary of the The RRSTs will be co-led by state commissioners that have been specially The governor-directed review found trained in emergency management and State Offi ce of Emergency Man- an excess of unnecessary and outdated storms of 2011 is an occasion both to salute New York’s resolve and to recommit to the spirit of community that made agement regional directors. The teams will also include representatives emergency response equipment. Unused the recovery process possible, and fuels it still. from the State Offi ce of Emergency Management, State Police, National equipment will be recalled for assessment Guard and other agencies. or sold, and usable equipment will be cen- tralized at the fi ve DHSES Regional Disaster Logistics Centers.

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