Press Release

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Schenectady County Residents Set To Receive Critical FEMA Assistance

Sep 14, 2011

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded individual assistance to Schenectady County. Schumer and Gillibrand said that this was an important first step in making sure that these counties get the help they needs to recover from Tropical Storm Lee.

“I called Administrator Fugate to tell him that FEMA needs to work hand in glove with state and local leaders to make sure Schenectady County residents and business owners have every resource necessary to rebuild homes and businesses,” said Schumer. “Now that FEMA has heeded that call and stepped up to the plate to make the necessary funding available, we can begin the process of helping repair and rebuild local infrastructure damaged in the storm, and helping local residents rebuild their homes and their lives in the wake of this tragedy.”

“This is great news for families and businesses in Schenectady County in dire need of help to dig out from this devastating storm, and begin to recover,” Senator Gillibrand said. “Now it’s time to put all necessary resources on the ground where we need them to bring relief. I will fight to secure all the federal funding our communities need.”

FEMA’s individual assistance program includes range of programs, including home repair, temporary housing, grants for serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs. With individual assistance, Schumer and Gillibrand said that Schenectady residents would be getting the help they need to begin the difficult rebuilding process.