Congressman Bill Owens is among a bipartisan group of U.S. House members who have written to President Obama in support of Governor Cuomo's request for a major disaster declaration following severe …
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Congressman Bill Owens is among a bipartisan group of U.S. House members who have written to President Obama in support of Governor Cuomo's request for a major disaster declaration following severe flooding in 26 upstate New York counties, including St. Lawrence County.
Owens points out that eight of those counties are in Owens’ 23rd Congressional District.
Over $38 million in infrastructure damage and debris removal costs have been identified, providing additional burdens to cash-strapped local and state governments the letter said. Signers other than Owens are Reps. Maurice Hinchey (NY-22), Chris Gibson (NY-20), Richard Hanna (NY-24), Tom Reed (NY-29), Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25) and Louise Slaughter (NY-28).
"We can attest to the extensive damage impacting the homes, businesses, and local infrastructure in the flooded areas and the serious personal losses experienced by local residents," wrote the House members.
"Families have waited patiently for federal assistance for more than one month. Meanwhile, local governments are struggling to find funding to repair roads, culverts, bridges and other infrastructure damaged or destroyed. Without assistance from the federal government, many local leaders question how they will be able to make necessary repairs, the cost of which far exceeds local resources," the representatives said.