With what seems like a new natural disaster occurring every week, previous disasters unfortunately take a back seat in the minds of those around the state and country. This past month we have seen Hurricanes Harvey and Irma leave a path of flooding and destruction across the southeast. While we experienced no super hurricanes like those mentioned, the residents around Lake Ontario faced their own disastrous flooding, which resulted in millions of dollars in damage.

This past spring, the Legislature passed a relief package to make $45 million available to residents of Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Niagara, Oswego, St. Lawrence and Wayne counties for recovery from the record floods. This $45 million was designated for property owners, businesses, farms, not-for-profits, municipalities and counties that have suffered damages due to the high water levels of Lake Ontario.

This past week, I had the opportunity to sit down with officials from the state and discuss the Lake Ontario Relief & Recovery Program. While this program is designed with all types of property in mind, our meeting focused on the state’s homeowner recovery program.

As mentioned, the legislation passed by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Cuomo significantly expanded the range of who would be eligible for assistance. The program increased the maximum award available up to $50,000 for New Yorkers who suffered damage to their homes and businesses in the wake of this extreme weather and included $15 million in support for homeowners who sustained direct physical flood-related damage.

The deadline for homeowner applications is Friday, September 29, and Sunday, December 31 for businesses (must be postmarked by the 31st). If you suffered loss of property due to the flooding of Lake Ontario, visit the Neighbors Of Watertown, Inc. website at neighborsofwatertown.com. You may also contact the Neighbors of Watertown via email at Floodinfo@neighborsofwatertown.com, or by phone at (315) 782-8497.

I want to know what you think about this or any other legislative matter. Please contact me by emailing blankenbushk@nyassembly.gov or by calling my office at 315-493-3909