Queens Tribune - Paterson Asks FEMA To Declare A Disaster

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By Brian M. Rafferty

Two weeks after two tornadoes and a macroburst tore a line across the borough's midsection, Gov. David Paterson asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to recommend determining Queens and Brooklyn a federal disaster area.

According to a FEMA spokesman, the onus was on the state to meet certain thresholds to be eligible to even ask for the declaration; these included the declaration of a State of Emergency, a certain dollar amount in damage, the calling up of National Guard units for aid and other factors.

It is now up to FEMA to use its criteria to make the determination, which the spokesman said could take "from hours to weeks" depending on the specifics of the disaster. If FEMA determines the need, it will make a recommendation to Pres. Barack Obama, who then has the final word. If a disaster is declared, it would free up funds to aid in the recovery from the disaster.

Upon hearing of Paterson's request, U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Kew Gardens) said that the declaration could not come soon enough.

"This is an important step in the right direction," he said. "Anyone who has seen the damage firsthand knows that we experienced a disaster - now we just need FEMA to make it official so we can get the federal funding we desperately need to repair our neighborhoods, roads and parks."

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) drafted a letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate Tuesday, asking to help speed relief.

"A swift disaster declaration will help those affected begin the rebuilding process and support local emergency services which have been strained by a high volume of dangerous weather this year," Gillibrand wrote.

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