White House Awards Funding to WNY to Help With Blizzard Recovery

Heavy machinery clears large snow piles and muddy roads after a blizzard in Buffalo, New York.
Heavy equipment works to clear massive snowdrifts and muddy roads in Buffalo, New York, following a severe blizzard.

FEMA announced on Thursday that federal disaster assistance has been made available to New York to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe winter storm and snowstorm last Dec. 23-28.

President Joe Biden’s action makes federal funding in the form of funeral assistance available to affected individuals in Erie and Niagara counties. Local and state officials will work together with FEMA to identify those who have incurred funeral-related expenses as a result of this weather event.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and snowstorm in Erie, Genesee, Niagara, St. Lawrence, and Suffolk counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Lai Sun Yee has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

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