State Lawmakers Approve Relief For Northern NY Flood Victims

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — The state Legislature has approved a bill that will extend relief measures to residents of a northern New York mobile home park hit by flooding last month.

The bill received final legislative approval Tuesday in the Senate, where it was sponsored by Republican Sen. Betty Little. Her district includes the Plattsburgh area where ice jams on the Saranac River caused flooding in mid-January.

Scores of people living in the Underwood Estates Mobile Home Park had to evacuate because of the flooding. Residents own their homes but lease land.

The legislation expands eligibility for relief aid under the existing mobile home replacement program. Under old regulations, residents were required to own both their homes and the land before being eligible.

The bill was sponsored in the Assembly by Republican Billy Jones.