Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Brookhaven Town to Receive Over $4 Million FEMA Grant for Irene Recovery

Press Release

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Congressman Tim Bishop today announced a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant of $4,296,115.57 for the Town of Brookhaven to reimburse the town for cleanup costs associated with damage resulting from Tropical Storm Irene last August. Brookhaven was particularly hard hit by Irene's heavy rains and high winds, and the Town mounted a massive cleanup effort to ensure public safety in the storm's aftermath, with 16,894 tons of uprooted trees, branches, limbs and other debris removed from public roads and deposited at local landfills.

"Brookhaven has done a remarkable job in their efforts to clean up from Irene, but they shouldn't have to do it alone" said Senator Schumer. "That's why I'm glad FEMA has stepped up to the plate to make sure Brookhaven gets the funding it deserves."

"Brookhaven families and businesses have been hard-hit by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee," Senator Gillibrand said. "This funding will provide much needed relief. Now it's time to put all necessary resources on the ground to help Brookhaven recover. I will fight to secure all the federal funding our communities need."

"Irene was a particular challenge for Brookhaven Town given the need to coordinate not only an evacuation of South Shore area, but also a recovery operation over 368 square miles. I strongly supported federal grant funding to reimburse the Town for the hard work of Public Safety Officers, the Highway Department, and other agencies in this disaster," said Congressman Bishop. "I joined Senators Schumer and Gillibrand in fighting for all levels of federal assistance after Irene, and now FEMA has stepped up with more than $4 million to reimburse the Town and sharply reduce the burden on Brookhaven taxpayers."

"I thank Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Congressman Bishop for bringing this money back to Brookhaven. The Town worked around the clock to ensure the safety of the residents during Hurricane Irene and participated in the clean-up during the aftermath. We are grateful that FEMA is reimbursing us for our response to this emergency situation," said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko.

The Town of Brookhaven has the responsibility to clear and remove debris in an area of 368 square miles and to protect the general population of approximately of 490,000. During the incident period August 26, 2011 through Sep 5, 2011, Irene's high winds and soaking rains caused 16,894 tons of trees, branches, limbs, and other vegetative debris to be deposited on public roads, sidewalks and public right-of-ways within the Town of Brookhaven. In total, Brookhaven spent $5,728,154.09 on cleanup costs, including overtime for Town Workers, use of Town equipment, and carting and landfill fees, as a result of the storm.

Today, Schumer, Gillibrand, and Bishop announced that FEMA had approved Brookhaven's application for reimbursement, with the federal government bearing 75% of the cost for debris removal within Town borders. The federal cost share is typical for FEMA public assistance grants.

Senators Schumer and Gillibrand urged the President to declare Irene a federal disaster in Suffolk County and all 26 New York counties declared disaster areas by Governor Cuomo, and on August 31, 2011, Congressman Bishop and a bipartisan coalition of 20 members of New York's delegation in the House of Representatives also urged the President to do so. Once the President declared the federal disaster, Suffolk County became eligible for Public Assistance, including the reimbursement announced today.

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