Almost two years have passed since Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc in New York, leaving 13 people dead in the Big Apple, including a baby, and thousands of homes and basements flooded, and the state government announced the investment of $20 millions to lend a hand to communities in the Hudson Valley and Long Island that were hit by the ferocious storm.
This was announced by the governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, after assuring that the funds are part of a broader initiative of $68 million, which seeks that communities affected by Ida, renters, property owners and housing developments affordable, continue to recover and take steps to protect yourself against future eventualities.
The funds will be processed through non-profit organizations that help homeowners with storm damage, under the repair and reimbursement program, as well as for local governments to promote investment projects. Organizations have until October 27 to submit their aid applications and proposals.
Because the Big Apple currently runs its own recovery program, the funds will go to projects in other counties such as Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester.
“As New York continues relief efforts in the aftermath of the devastation of Hurricane Ida, this critical funding will help thousands of New Yorkers rebuild their homes and create stronger, safer and more resilient communities,” Governor Hochul said after making the announcement. “On the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Ida, I reaffirm my commitment to supporting New Yorkers affected by the storm and ensuring our state is fully prepared for the next big weather event.”
Home and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas explained that the program will lend a hand to New Yorkers so they can make improvements to their homes after the damage caused by Ida, preparing their properties for future storms.
“Our Hurricane Ida recovery initiative will help families affected by the storm make repairs to their homes, as well as ensure that we can better withstand extreme weather events in the future,” the official said. “We look forward to working with our partners as we rebuild better, more resilient communities.”
The New York Governor’s Office assured that the $15.6 million Repair and Reimbursement Program “is available to non-profit organizations to help property owners make repairs to storm damage and/or secure reimbursement for repairs completed.” The relief plan will prioritize families who earn 80 percent or less of the area median income and will need to show that their homes sustained damage from Hurricane Ida.
Likewise, municipalities may apply for the Resilient Investment Program, which has funds in the order of $4 million and which will grant technical assistance and/or planning funds to implement community resilience projects to improve the protection of local infrastructure and housing. , to avoid severe impacts from future storms.
The passage of Hurricane Ida through New York generated the most intense rain in an hour, with 3.15 inches, so that many basements saw their spaces flooded in minutes. The death toll statewide was 16.