Today, Rep. Tom Reed announced a Major Disaster Declaration for the State Of New York has been granted by President Donald Trump. The announcement follows a bipartisan letter Reed sent along with his colleagues to the President asking for the declaration to be made. The declaration releases Federal funds which will help communities in multiple areas recover from the severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding damage that occurred in late October and into early November.

“This is a big win for our district and our state. Getting this funding to the areas in need will allow repairs to be made and rebuilding to start,” said Reed. “We cannot undo the damage that was done during these storms, but we fought for the funding to help clean up the aftermath. We care about these areas that were impacted, and we will do all we can to help to mend what was broken.”

“Northern Chautauqua County was heavily impacted by the storm event on Halloween,” said State Senator George Borrello. “Shortly after, Congressman Reed mobilized his staff and the Army Corps of Engineers. Not only did they tour the damaged areas with us, they pushed for the critically needed emergency declaration and the federal funding that comes along with it. We can now take further action to repair the damage in the communities that were hit hardest by the storm, thanks to the quick action of Congressman Tom Reed.”

“The City of Dunkirk is very grateful for the Presidential Disaster Declaration that will send FEMA assistance to repair the Lake Boulevard railing destroyed by the extreme event on October 31,” said City of Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas. “Mayor Rosas thanks his local team who are working with our state and federal elected officials on this needed assistance. The local team is headed by Development Director Wurster, DPW Director Woodbury and Fiscal Officer Beach.”

The disaster declaration has been designated to help Chautauqua, Chenango, Cortland, Erie, Essex, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Oswego, Otsego, Saratoga, Tioga and Warren counties.