North Country Leader

Last month, severe storms caused significant damage in Lewis and St. Lawrence counties due to Hurricane Beryl. Governor Hochul announced that her request for a major disaster declaration has been approved by President Biden. This approval allows federal assistance to be provided to the affected communities.

The Major Disaster Declaration will enable financial support from the federal government through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance Program. This program provides funding to local governments, tribes, and eligible non-profits for various recovery efforts. These include debris removal, protective measures, and repairs to infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water and wastewater treatment facilities, critical infrastructure sites, schools, parks, and other public facilities.

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush expressed relief at the timely arrival of federal aid. "Federal aid could not have come soon enough," he stated. "The effects of Hurricane Beryl caused millions of dollars of devastation to Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, and we cannot hope to rebuild from this disaster alone. I am extremely grateful federal funding has been approved and we can begin to start the rebuilding process. I will continue to work to secure more funding to ensure we have the tools needed to reconstruct and rebuild."