Clinton Welcomes Flooding Assistance for Otsego County

Clinton Welcomes Flooding Assistance for Otsego County

County now eligible for federal assistance in the wake of April floods

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today welcomed news that Otsego County would be eligible for federal assistance following last month's severe rains and flooding. The announcement was made today by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

According to the announcement, Otsego County will be eligible for "Public Assistance" - assistance to State and Local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.

"As the clean-up and rebuilding continues, the picture of the floods' devastation becomes even clearer. We now know that many additional areas were affected by the flooding and it is important that we provide assistance to those who need it," Senator Clinton said. "I am pleased that FEMA has been responsive to local needs and provided this assistance to Otsego County."

On April 19th, the President issued a Major Disaster Declaration for 13 counties hit by the April 2-4, 2005 rains. On May 10th, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Columbia, Madison, and Putnam were added to that list.

Immediately following the floods, Senator Clinton urged Governor Pataki, Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response and President Bush to take action as quickly as possible and help all counties affected by the storms and flooding.

http://clinton.senate.gov/~clinton/news/2005/2005523802.html