Gillibrand Makes Plea For Federal Disaster Declaration

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is the latest politician to make a personal appeal for federal financial help for flood victims in the Mohawk Valley.

In a phone call to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today, Gillibrand detailed the flood devistation in the Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier and North Country.

Gillibrand pointed out that power outages and significant damage to businesses, homes and public property clearly warrants the disaster declaration.

She asked that the DHS recommend to the White House that New York State's disaster declaration be approved so that affected communities can get funds to begin rebuilding.

"Our communities are suffering and need every available resource from the federal government without delay so we can clean up, rebuild and stand strong," Gillibrand said.

She is specifically requesting that the President approve the major disaster declaration. This would pave the way for individual and public assistance from FEMA, individual assistance for Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, and Oneida Counties as well as hazard mitigation statewide.

At the height of the storms and flooding, over 13,000 New Yorkers lost power including the entire Village of Mohawk. In the hardest hit areas 44 homes were destroyed, 75 suffered major damage and over 750 homes sustained minor damage.