$11 Million in Emergency Assistance to Help New Yorkers Hit by July Severe Weather Outbreak

A tornado takes shape over Lake Erie in Hamburg, New York.Photo byPhoto by J.M. Lesinski

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently celebrated the allocation of roughly $11 million in emergency assistance for homeowners and municipalities deemed eligible across the seven counties most heavily impacted by the severe weather outbreak from July 10-16, 2024, where over twenty tornadoes touched down and severe flooding occurred. 

“After extreme weather events caused major damage across Upstate New York, we are providing rapid relief for impacted residents and municipalities,” Hochul stated of the funding, “While I continue to urge the federal government to act quickly on our request for an emergency declaration, my administration remains committed to assisting affected New Yorkers so they can recover from these devastating storms.”

Approximately $5 million in New York state funds are expected to be accessible to eligible homeowners in Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Chautauqua, Erie, Essex, and Warren counties, with grants up to $50,000 available per residence. 

“As we saw here in Erie County and statewide, bad weather can develop and intensify quickly into storms that destroy homes and businesses, changing lives in an instant,” noted Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz of the funding. “This summer has seen a pattern of destructive storms sweep across New York state with multiple communities affected by intense weather the likes of which they’d not seen before. Thanks to quick action by Governor Hochul, emergency funding will be available to help homeowners and municipalities repair and recover from these storms and get back on their feet. Leadership shows in times like these, and I thank Governor Hochul for making this funding available.”

The additional $6 million will go specifically to Oneida County and the City of Rome for demolition projects related to tornado and severe storm damage. 

“The Governor has pledged a total of $11 million to assist with the recent storm damage. The pledge will include $6 million for demolition projects in the City of Rome,” New York State Assemblymember Brian Miller remarked of the funding. “$5 million will be allocated for emergency repair grants to assist homeowners in Madison, Oneida and other counties impacted. This is a significant step in helping our communities recover and rebuild from the recent storms. These emergency repair grants of up to $50,000 per homeowner will provide essential support to those whose primary residences were damaged, ensuring that homes are made safe and habitable once again. This funding is crucial for our residents, and I urge eligible homeowners to apply and take advantage of the emergency repair grants. Thank you to Governor Hochul and the state agencies involved in the recovery of our communities.”

Overseeing the program will be New York State Homes and Community Renewal, which will award those eligible based on the scope of the projects and approval via local administrators. 

“As residents across Upstate New York recover from the destruction caused by recent tornadoes and severe storms, this financial assistance will help eligible homeowners pick up the pieces and ensure their homes are made safe and habitable,” commented New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas of the funding. “Thanks to Governor Hochul, the State is in a better position to provide aid and assist more New Yorkers as they face the fallout from climate-related storms.”

Applicants must be homeowners with incomes at or below 100% of their area’s median income in order to qualify. Those interested may apply here.

“I am grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul and the state for their support in our storm recovery efforts,” Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel said of the funding. “The emergency funds for Chautauqua County will help communities like Forestville rebuild stronger and better than ever. After touring the damaged areas, I am deeply moved by the resilience and determination of our community coming together to help neighbors, friends and family immediately following the storm.”