There have been numerous natural disasters recently, brought to us by an eventful weather pattern. Hurricane Irene knocked out power for many people on the East Coast for several days, took down trees, bridges, roads and houses. Just when people were starting to rebuild, Tropical Storm Lee hit and caused flooding events in the Southern Tier that amounted to more than 10 inches of rain in some cases—the worst floods anyone has seen in recent history. Rivers rose well beyond their banks and flooded streets, houses, businesses and caused roads to cave and people to abandon their vehicles.

Local emergency departments throughout the region were called and sent personnel where they were needed. Floods in Broome County were categorized by the National Weather service as catastrophic. The local representatives compared their situation to New Orleans. The Governor told everyone in the county to get out, as flooding was expected to get worse before it got better, even though the weather improved. The county’s sewage treatment plant shut down. The National Guard was sent. People evacuated to emergency shelters. It already has been declared a federal emergency, which will clear the way for federal assistance.

It seemed state government was prepared on both occasions to lend support, utilize emergency plans, call in extra staff and appeal to the federal government for disaster assistance. According to news reports, emergency services and management, along with water boats and crews from the New York State Police and the State Department of Environmental Conservation, were dispatched to the Binghamton area when forecasters called for multiple inches of rain. Before Hurricane Irene made its way up the East Coast, the state sent out warnings to residents, urging residents, particularly near the Coast, to prepare for the worst and pack their bags in case they needed to get out. A State of Emergency was called, concerts and outdoor events were cancelled, nursing homes were evacuated and the state made plans to shut down the transit system.

In the wake of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, the President declared a federal emergency for several counties south of us. The state still is working to help farmers receive aid for crop loss, and federal representatives are, too. It is estimated that a total of 140,000 acres were knocked out of production—a huge loss to our ag industry. Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves including name, permanent address, phone number, insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.

If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 200 North Second Street, Fulton, New York 13069, by e-mail at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us or by calling (315) 598-5185. You also can find me, Assemblyman Barclay, on Facebook.