It’s official: Brooklyn is a “disaster area.”
After pressure from members of Brooklyn’s Congressional delegation — including Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-Brooklyn), Jerrold Nadler (D – Brooklyn/Manhattan), and Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn/Queens) — the Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared Brooklyn a disaster area, making the borough eligible to receive federal funding to help cover the cleanup costs of the December 2010 blizzard.
Nearly two feet of snow buried New York City, including Brooklyn, for days in December. The ensuing cleanup efforts forced the city to exceed its snow budget for the entire 2011 fiscal year – and is estimated to cost in excess of $60 million in recovery costs, lost revenue, and residential and private property damage.
Yet, while Queens was approved for Category B funding for “emergency protective measures,” FEMA had not yet declared Brooklyn eligible for funds – even though it was one of the hardest hit boroughs during the storm.
Brooklyn’s Category B funding could be used to cover the costs of emergency repairs, search and rescue, and the installation of warning devices like signs or announcements, among other measures. State and local governments, as well as certain non-profit organizations, are eligible for assistance.
“It is heartening that FEMA understands the enormous burdens localities bear during natural catastrophic events,” Towns said. “It is incredibly difficult for local governments to generate resources to meet these demands and we appreciate the federal government’s assistance.”
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Related story:
Weiner to feds: Declare Brooklyn a “disaster area “ due to December blizzard (NY Post Brooklyn Blog)