Seneca County has declared that significant disaster conditions exist following the destructive Sept. 2 storm and is asking New York's governor to pursue state and federal assistance for residents, businesses and municipalities.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Michael Enslow signed the declaration Sept. 4 as many residents and businesses remained without electricity. The county said the continuing outages were creating concerns for public health, safety and welfare.
The storm brought extreme winds, heavy rain and flooding across Seneca County, along with widespread power outages, downed trees and utility lines, and blocked or hazardous roads. Waterloo and Seneca Falls were especially affected, though damage and outages were reported throughout the county.
Homes, businesses, farms, public facilities, municipal infrastructure, utility systems and vehicles were among the property damaged, according to the declaration. The county characterized the property damage identified so far as moderate but said the full extent and financial impact remained under assessment.
Emergency personnel, firefighters, law enforcement agencies, highway departments, utility crews, municipal employees and volunteers have been involved in response, cleanup, power restoration and recovery work. County officials said the needs of local governments, residents, farms and businesses may exceed resources reasonably available at the local level.
County asks state to accelerate damage reviews
The declaration asks the governor to issue a state disaster emergency that includes Seneca County under Section 28 of the New York State Executive Law. It also seeks immediate assistance from the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and other state agencies for the county and affected municipalities.
Enslow requested expedited preliminary damage assessments coordinated among Seneca County, affected municipalities and federal agencies.
The county also wants Seneca County included in any request for a presidential emergency or major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act stemming from the Sept. 2 severe-weather event.
Request covers loans, public aid and mitigation
The declaration asks the state to seek an appropriate U.S. Small Business Administration disaster declaration. If granted, that could make low-interest disaster loans and other available assistance accessible to affected homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations.
County officials also requested all available federal Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, Small Business Administration aid and other disaster-recovery programs for which the county and its residents may qualify.
The final portion of the request calls for any additional state resources needed to protect public health and safety, remove debris, restore electrical service and other essential infrastructure, and support affected communities' recovery.
Seneca County said it will continue working with towns and villages to document emergency-response costs, debris-removal expenses, damage to public infrastructure, extended outages and losses sustained by residents, farms, businesses and nonprofit organizations. The declaration requests immediate state help in securing every available state and federal recovery resource, but it does not indicate that any outside disaster assistance has yet been approved.
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