BROOKHAVEN, N.Y. — President Joe Biden has approved a federal emergency declaration for Suffolk County after last week’s severe flooding, Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Sunday.
This declaration allows Suffolk County to receive help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA for urgent repairs to essential infrastructure.
State and federal officials are still assessing whether Suffolk County qualifies for additional federal funds from a major disaster declaration.
Governor Hochul declared a state of emergency in Suffolk County on Friday. She also announced that the state housing authority will launch an emergency repair program for homeowners on Long Island. This program may provide grants of up to $50,000 for repairs that aren’t covered by insurance or other disaster relief programs.
President Biden also approved a federal emergency declaration for parts of Connecticut affected by the same storm.
Severe Damage in Suffolk County
Suffolk County experienced heavy rainfall on August 18 and 19, leading to flash flooding. The National Weather Service issued its first-ever flash flood emergency for the county during the storm.
Sound Beach received the most rainfall, with 10.18 inches recorded.
The governor’s office reported that over 2,000 residents and businesses suffered flood damage. Stony Brook University was also heavily impacted, causing the school to cancel its move-in day and relocate hundreds of students.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, staff from the Department of Financial Services will be at Stony Brook University’s Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. to help residents with insurance claims.
.