'Wrong,' FEMA Again Denies Hochul Major Disaster Declaration Request For February's Record Blizzard

NEW YORK — FEMA officials have, for a second time, denied New York's Major Disaster Declaration request in response to the February blizzard that cost the state millions of dollars, and led to several deaths.

New York's top officials are calling the move a "betrayal."

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"Another day, another denial of critical federal assistance for New York by the Trump Administration," Gov. Hochul said in a statement. "Just one day after calling out President Trump and Secretary Mullin for continuing to withhold $87 million in counterterrorism funding, my administration was informed today that FEMA has officially denied our appeal for a Major Disaster Declaration following the February blizzard that caused more than $168 million in damages and placed a serious financial burden on communities across New York City, Long Island and the Mid-Hudson."

New York Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand echoed those sentiment in statement FEMA's decision about the February blizzard that brought record snowfall, high wind speeds and coastal flooding across the Hudson Valley and beyond.

"FEMA's decision to again deny Governor Hochul's request is wrong and a massive blow to New York State's recovery efforts, Gillibrand said. "In the wake of February's record-breaking blizzard, our local governments stepped up to protect residents and save lives. Our municipal partners shouldn't be penalized for doing the right thing, and the federal government has a responsibility to support New York's full recovery. Once again, this administration is showing that it has unlimited money for bombs, billionaires, and ballrooms, but nothing to help the American people."

In April, Senators Gillibrand and Schumer publicly called on President Trump to approve Hochul's Major Disaster Declaration request.

The governor made the request for Public Assistance for Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties, along with Snow Assistance for Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties, and Hazard Mitigation for the entire state.

"This storm met every FEMA threshold for federal assistance, yet the Trump Administration continues to play political games and betray every New Yorker who believes that the federal government is there to protect and support them," Hochul said. "By refusing to intervene and grant our request, President Trump has told every New Yorker who weathered this major storm and the first responders, utility crews and emergency management staff who worked tirelessly to keep our communities safe that you do not matter to him."