Millions Secured for Sandy-Ravaged Communities

The South Shore's Congressional representatives have secured millions in funding to help reimburse Long Beach, Island Park and Lawrence for rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Sandy.

Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Kathleen Rice announced that FEMA has awarded more than $4.6 million in federal grant funding to the Island Park School District, the Lawrence School District, and the City of Long Beach for repairs made as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

The Island Park School District will receive $1,479,372.48 in federal funding for repairs to Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School, which sustained up to four feet of flooding during Sandy. The Lawrence School District will receive $1,455,083.75 for repairs to Lawrence High School, which was forced to close after Sandy due to extensive flood damage and corroded electrical wiring. The City of Long Beach will receive $1,681,928.48 for repairs to the city’s Municipal Garage.

Even today, communities that were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy are still recovering. Many schools and municipal buildings along the South Shore were heavily damaged by the storm and in need of repairs, or to be completely replaced. Residents are still working on repair and raising their homes in storm-ravaged communities.

“This funding represents the continued commitment from our federal government to support our recovery efforts and ensure that taxpayers, local governments and school districts aren’t forced to bear the costs of badly needed repairs,” said Rice. “As we approach the fourth anniversary of Sandy, I’m pleased that we helped secure these funds for the Island Park and Lawrence School Districts and the City of Long Beach, and I’ll keep working to make sure all of our communities get the resources they need to fully recover.”

Photo: Patch.