U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $6,227,731 of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding for the Town of Smithtown which will reimburse the cost of collection, removal, and disposal of debris deposited on Smithtown roads as a result of Superstorm Sandy.
“Superstorm Sandy wreaked significant damage throughout the Town of Smithtown, 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.”
“This federal funding will provide much needed relief for Smithtown families and businesses impacted by Superstorm Sandy,” Senator Gillibrand said. “It is critical that Long Island communities have the necessary resources on the ground to recover and rebuild.”
Superstorm Sandy brought strong winds and heavy rains to the New York tri-state area, resulting in downed trees, scattered vegetative debris and other materials strewn throughout busy roadways.
FEMA has awarded the Town of Smithtown over $6 million in funds to reimburse them for the costs of collection, removal, and disposal of debris that resulted from Superstorm Sandy. Over 29,000 tons of Sandy- generated debris was deposited onto roads, rights of ways, and properties in the Smithtown area that posed an immediate threat to public safety. The debris removal performed by force account labor required 27,549.30 hours of force account equipment, as well as contract services. The nearly 30,000,000 tons of debris were deposited at both the Brookhaven Landfill, at a cost of $75 per Ton, and Omni Recycling of Babylon Inc., at a cost of $20 per ton.