FEMA Approves Nearly $33 Million Funding to Help Communities Recover from Recent Disasters and Strengthen Their Resilience Against Future Disasters in New Jersey and New York

NEW YORK - Today, FEMA announced the approval of nearly $33 million in post-disaster funding for Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects and assistance programs in New Jersey and New York. These programs empower states, local communities, tribes and territories to recover from disasters, rebuild safer and more resilient communities and protect infrastructure from future events. With this funding, President Donald J. Trump is keeping his promise to reform federal disaster support and ensure that taxpayer money is spent only on projects and programs that deliver safety and security to the American people.

The funding approved today includes more than $32 million under FEMA's Public Assistance program.

FEMA disburses this money to states and local communities because they are best positioned to know how these funds will be most effectively spent. The funded projects include repairs to critical infrastructure, restoration of public buildings, road repairs and reimbursement for costs incurred to ensure public health and safety after a disaster.

Examples of projects reimbursed through Public Assistance funding approved today include:

• Nearly $10.7 million to the Watertown City School District in New York to make permanent repairs following the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby.
• Nearly $3.3 million to Erie County, New York to support emergency protective measures following a severe winter storm and snowstorm.
• More than $3.2 million to the City of New York to support emergency protective measures at Fort Hamilton High School following the remnants of Hurricane Ida.
• Nearly $610,000 for the Township of Washington, New Jersey to repair or replace infrastructure damaged by severe storms and flooding.
• More than $160,000 to the Borough of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey to repair or replace culverts, embankments, and related infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Ida.

FEMA is also awarding more than $670,000 for projects in New York that will prevent, eliminate or reduce future disaster-related damage. This money is being distributed through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Through this program, state, local or territory governments and Tribal Nations take proactive mitigation measures such as acquiring hazard-prone homes and businesses, adopting and enforcing building codes and standards, protecting against floods through elevations and drainage improvement projects, building safe rooms and upgrading utilities and infrastructure.

Examples of projects reimbursed through Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding approved today include:

• $400,000 to New York City to update its hazard mitigation plan following severe storms and flooding
• More than $270,000 to Chenango County to stabilize a riverbank along Bainbridge County Road 39 and reduce landslide risk.

FEMA coordinates directly with the state on all hazard mitigation projects. This aligns with FEMA's principles of ensuring that disaster recovery and mitigation is state-led and federally supported.

These awards are the latest examples of billions of dollars in disaster recovery provided by FEMA to support state and local communities as they work to rebuild from recent natural disasters.

FEMA continues its renewed commitment to help communities recover from disasters like hurricanes, severe storms, tornadoes and wildfires while making them more resilient from future disasters.