‘You’ll not be forgotten’: Gov. Kathy Hochul promises support to those impacted by Friday’s flooding

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Gov. Kathy Hochul held a live briefing Sunday in the aftermath of major flooding in Steuben County, specifically around the Town of Canisteo. You can watch the full briefing at the top of this article.

A State of Emergency in Steuben County was declared Friday as a result of those storms, and several areas were asked to evacuate. Hochul said she sent more than 100 members of the National Guard to be of help to those in areas hit the hardest, like Steuben County.

The state department of financial services also enacted its disaster hotline ahead of the storms. That number is 1-(800) 339-1759. Mobile vans from the state will be available for residents in Steuben County impacted by the storm to help aid in insurance claims.

Cleanup kits, water bottles to be distributed to Steuben County residents impacted by flooding

“Tuscarora Creek flash flooding caused significant damages to the Jasper-troupsburg high school,” Hochul said. “The students who thought they were returning to the school that perhaps their parents went to, are now displaced again.”

The school was slated to reopen after it had to be shut down due to Tropical Storm Fred three years ago.

Moss Family Farms was also picking up the pieces in the aftermath of Friday’s storm. Despite preparing well in advance, the owners said there was little more that could have been done to save them from the sheer force of the floods.

“[The owners of Moss Family Farms] lost 400 acres of corn, 200 acres of soybeans, hundreds of acres of hay and equipment,” said Hochul Sunday afternoon. “He’s [the farm owner] worried they’re not going to have enough crops to feed the animals through the winter. These are real problems that need real solutions.”

State grants of up to $50,000 are available to homeowners impacted by the floods to help them cover the costs of damages not being covered by insurance. The funding comes from the state Homes and Community Renewal agency’s Emergency Repair program

“This is a newer program; this program did not exist three years ago when Fred hit this area. It exists now,” said Hochul.

2024 has been a historic year for New York as it pertains to the weather. More than 20 tornadoes alone were reported. Hochul said she and her team are preparing for what she considers to be the “new norm.”

Weather Blog: Why have we seen so many tornadoes across New York in 2024?

Other counties, including Ontario, Yates and Seneca, also saw flooding Friday as a result of Tropical Storm Debby.

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