New York, USA.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a petition on Sunday for the federal government to declare the impact of Hurricane Ida, which left the state in disarray, a “major disaster.” ‘minimum of 17 deaths and significant damage.
The petition seeks Washington to provide funds to support those affected and to repair infrastructure and public buildings, among other things.
“New Yorkers are still recovering from the damage in the southern communities of the state and this request that I have signed and forwarded to President (Joe) Biden can secure the financial resources that correspond to the New Yorkers who suffered devastation unimaginable as a result of the storm, “Hochul told a news conference.
Biden has already offered federal assistance and the declaration of “major disaster” would open the door for the government to help families whose homes have been affected by the floods, including those who were uninsured for such disasters.
According to the governor, initial analyzes have already identified damage to at least 1,200 homes worth more than $ 50 million.
The US president plans to visit New York and neighboring New Jersey next Tuesday to see first-hand the devastation caused by Ida, which hit the area last Wednesday after having previously caused major damage in the southeast of the country. .
New Jersey was the worst-hit state, with 25 confirmed deaths, while in New York there were at least 17 fatalities, many of them drowned in illegal basement apartments, mostly in the district of Queens.
Hochul also announced today that it will direct $ 378 million in funds previously provided by the Federal Administration to improve the protection of infrastructure in the face of weather disasters.