FEMA Denies Aid to Canandaigua Flood Victims

A flooded street in Canandaigua with muddy water covering the road and sidewalk, a speed limit sign visible.
Floodwaters cover a street in Canandaigua, New York, following heavy rains that led to a state of emergency in Ontario County.

A decision by FEMA to deny individual aid to Canandaigua residents impacted by flooding back in July is being appealed by the state.

In its decision, a FEMA associate administrator wrote preliminary damage assessments indicating the impact to the individuals and households of the July 9th flooding was not of “such severity and magnitude to warrant individual aid designation.” Over 180 homes and apartments in Canandaigua were impacted by the summer storm.

Governor Kathy Hochul released a statement regarding the denial by FEMA not only to Ontario County residents but to Orange County as well.

“Today, New York appealed FEMA’s denial of Individual Assistance for the homeowners in Orange and Ontario Counties impacted by July’s devastating rainfall and flooding.

“With climate change continuing to increase the frequency and severity of natural disasters, we will always fight to ensure eligible New Yorkers can access every possible federal dollar to recover and rebuild after devastating storms.”

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