New York opens application for homeowners seeking tornado relief

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — Did weather damage your Chautauqua, Erie, Essex, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, or Warren County home between July 10 and July 16? Now you can apply for up to $50,000 in assistance for emergency repairs.

On Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that eligible homeowners can apply for a share of $11 million to recover from thunderstorms, floods , and a record 22 tornadoes . The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal oversees the grant, awarded based on the scope and cost of work needed to make the home safe.

Homeowners who make the area median income or less qualify. The state put up a form for interested homeowners to figure out the application process .

As of Wednesday, there has been no announcement that Genesee or Ontario County residents will be able to apply.

“We are providing rapid relief for impacted residents and municipalities,” Hochul said. She’s also asked the feds to declare an emergency in response to the destructive storms in Chemung, Genesee, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oswego, Oneida, Ontario, Saratoga, Schuyler, Steuben, and Warren Counties. “I continue to urge the federal government to act quickly on our request for an emergency declaration,” she added.

The governor’s request included FEMA Public Assistance funding for everything from removing debris to conduction evacuations and search and rescue missions. On Tuesday, several Republican Congressmembers from New York backed up the request from their Democratic governor. Reps. Brandon Williams, Claudia Tenney, Nick Langworthy, and Elise Stefanik joined Democratic Rep. Paul Tonko to write a joint letter to Pres. Joe Biden. pushing for financial support.

“I am now calling on the Biden-Harris Administration to issue a Presidential Emergency Declaration for the State of New York and unleash additional resources to help our NY-21 communities persevere through this tragedy and rebuild our communities,” read a statement from Stefanik. You can read the joint letter at the bottom of this story.

As part of Wednesday’s announcement, Hochul’s office underlined roughly $6 million earmarked for Oneida County, the city of Rome, and 233 Dominick Street in particular. The site will be demolished and redeveloped. A tornado in downtown Rome tore down buildings and left tens of thousands without power after July 16.

“Rome, Canastota, and other communities in the region were greatly impacted by recent tornados and severe weather,” said a statement from State Sen. Joseph Griffo. “While local cleanup efforts continue, it is imperative that the state continues to support the individuals, families, and local governments affected by these significant weather events. The funding announced today will be an additional resource that can help our storm-ravaged communities recover, rebuild, and come back stronger than ever.”

The Restore New York program’s next round launches soon, Hochul’s office said. It’s set to include guidelines communities can follow to get funding to fix blighted or dangerous buildings.

Related video below: Drone videos capture intense storm damage in Rome and Canastota

Check out the letter to Biden from New York Congressmembers:

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