State storm repair grants: Deadline extended for Long Islanders to apply
The scene behind a home in Stony Brook in August after the Mill Pond dam failed due to the torrential rains. The storm dumped 10 inches of rain on some parts of Long Island. Credit: Newsday/James Carbone
Long Islanders whose homes were damaged after torrential rain in August have several more weeks to apply for emergency state grants after the governor extended the original Oct. 7 application deadline to Nov. 8, according to state officials.
The funding, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal, will release up to $50,000 for homeowners in Suffolk and Nassau counties whose main residence was damaged during the Aug. 18-19 storm. The grants are available for people whose insurance fails to cover repair costs to restore the home to safety and whose household income does not exceed 150% of the Island’s median income.
The region’s median income for an individual is $164,100; $187,500 for two people, and $234,300 for a family of four.
“These emergency repair grants are giving families the opportunity to rebuild — providing a lifeline to New Yorkers as they recover from these devastating storms,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
The storm dumped 10 inches of rain on several parts of Long Island, taking out two dams, flooding homes, and collapsing roads. Some of the hardest-hit communities include Stony Brook, Rocky Point, Kings Park and Smithtown.
By mid-September, more than 2,800 Suffolk residents had reported flood damage that stands at more than $41 million, according to county officials.
On Sept. 18, Hochul requested a federal major disaster declaration for Suffolk and counties upstate.
'A spark for them to escalate the fighting' A standoff between officials has stalled progress, eroded community patience and escalated the price tag for taxpayers. Newsday investigative editor Paul LaRocco and NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie report.
'A spark for them to escalate the fighting' A standoff between officials has stalled progress, eroded community patience and escalated the price tag for taxpayers. Newsday investigative editor Paul LaRocco and NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie report.
