Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I – Merrick) today announced that President Obama has declared the counties of Nassau, Orange, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester a disaster area, making them eligible for federal disaster aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This announcement comes just over a month after the region was hit by a major nor’easter that brought rain and sustained 50 mph winds, causing large amounts of infrastructure damage including downed utility poles and power lines and roadway blockages.

“Reports from the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) stated that this was the worst storm this area had seen in over 30 years, so I am glad President Obama will be offering aid to help our area continue cleaning up,” said Assemblyman McDonough. “I want to thank both state government agencies and LIPA for their quick response to this disaster, which restored power to most of the 270,000 customers who lost it, within a relatively short time frame. I hope that we can use this storm as a lesson and ensure that we all have better disaster preparedness in the future.”

According to the governor’s office, the declaration makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm in the counties of Nassau, Orange, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester. Additional county designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Additionally, the Small Business Administration has said that homeowners and renters in Nassau County affected by the storms may apply for low-interest physical disaster loans to pay recovery costs not covered by insurance. Renters and homeowners alike may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, cars or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster. Homeowners may apply for up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence to its pre-disaster condition.

Businesses and homeowners looking for more information regarding these loans should visit www.sba.gov and click the “Service” tab to find the “Disaster Assistance” sub-heading.

To learn more about how to prepare for disasters in the future, please e-mail Assemblyman McDonough at mcdonoughd1@assembly.state.ny.us to receive a brochure with helpful tips.