Biden Declares NY Federal Disaster After Ida; 5 Counties Included

NEW YORK, NY — President Joseph Biden approved an expedited disaster declaration for New York that will enable local governments and individuals to receive federal financial relief.

Approval for the assistance came after the remnants of Hurricane Ida flooded New York City subways and shut down trains.

Ida dropped as much as 10 inches of rain in some parts of the New York metro area.

The storm caused more than $50 million in damage to public infrastructure and property, according to a statement from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. In addition, more than 1,200 residences were damaged.

Ida also resulted in 17 confirmed deaths in New York, according to Reuters.

"I saw the devastation of New Yorkers who lost so much from this storm, and I pledged that we would do everything in our power to help them rebuild," Hochul said in a statement. "I thank President Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell for their swift approval of a Major Disaster Declaration, which provides a promise that we will build back better and stronger."

Federal aid will help individuals and businesses recovering from the disaster, including by providing grants for temporary housing, low-coast loans to cover uninsured property losses, grants for home repairs and support for other programs, according to a statement from the White House.

The major disaster declaration will trigger funding for things like debris removal and repairs to infrastructure as well as renter and homeowner needs like temporary housing, driveway repairs, crisis counseling, legal services and unemployment help.

New Yorkers may be able to receive funding due to uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses, such as repairs, moving, storage, health care or child care.

Both homeowners and renters are encouraged to document their losses.

These areas are covered by the federal declaration:

• Bronx
• Queens
• Kings
• Richmond
• Westchester

New York County is included for public assistance only, according to a statement from Hochul, who vowed to work with state, local and federal partners to provide relief.

Assistance to other areas may be announced after damage assessments there are completed.

The president also approved a major disaster declaration for New Jersey on Monday.

Biden is planning on Tuesday to tour the destruction left by Ida in New York and New Jersey.

"I look forward to touring disaster areas with President Biden tomorrow and will continue to work with FEMA and our members of Congress to ensure New Yorkers get the relief they need from the devastating impacts of this horrible storm," Hochul said in a statement.

An online hub for resources is at ny.gov/ida, Hochul announced Sunday, Sept. 5.

Patch editors Anna Quinn and Karen Wall contributed to this report.

See Also:

• Biden Set To Tour NY Flooding Devastation On Tuesday
• President Biden Declares NJ A Major Disaster Area: What It Means
• New York Flood Damage Will Exceed Federal Threshold, Hochul Says
• UPDATE: Flood Victims Identified As Iona Professors
• At Least 9 Dead After Hurricane Ida Remnants Flood NYC
• Forest Hills Woman Among At Least 9 Dead After Historic Flooding