WASHINGTON -- FEMA announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of New York to supplement state and local response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from a severe winter storm beginning Dec. 23 and continuing.
The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in Erie and Genesse counties.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, under the public assistance program, will be provided at 75% federal funding.
Lai Sun Yee has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas.