U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $11,878,338 of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to reimburse the Town of North Hempstead for the costs it incurred in the wake of Superstorm Sandy removing dangerous debris from public spaces, including right-of ways, parks, grounds of public buildings, parking lots and public cemeteries.
“Superstorm Sandy wreaked significant damage throughout the Town of North Hempstead, creating a massive cleanup effort,” said Schumer. “This federal reimbursement for debris cleanup is critical in making sure that Long Islanders are not entirely on the hook for these expenses and I am pleased that this funding is being provided.”
“The Town of North Hempstead suffered severe damage from Superstorm Sandy, and local cleanup crews wasted no time in removing debris in the aftermath so families and businesses could get back on their feet,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This necessary reimbursement is an important step as we continue to meet New York’s needs to recover and rebuild.”
Superstorm Sandy brought strong winds and heavy rains to the New York tri-state area, including North Hempstead. The result was 6,657.43 tons of vegetative debris and 246.43 tons of construction/demolition-type debris strewn across public spaces and eventually removed by the Town of North Hempstead.
FEMA has awarded the Town of North Hempstead over $11 million in funds to reimburse it for the costs of collection, removal, and disposal of debris that resulted from Superstorm Sandy. The final cost of the Town’s disaster-generated debris removal was $198.75/CY.