Cuomo seeks federal disaster declaration for Halloween storm

Nov. 27--WASHINGTON -- Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday asked President Trump to declare a major disaster in 18 counties in the state -- including Erie and Chautauqua -- that suffered severe flooding during heavy rainstorms on Oct. 31.

"This year's Halloween storm caused tremendous damage to infrastructure and homes across the entire state," Cuomo said.

State and federal officials estimated the storms caused $33 million in damage to public infrastructure across the state. If Trump issues a disaster declaration for the 18 counties, the federal government will provide financial assistance to help local communities repair storm damage. The federal money would cover debris removal and repairs to public infrastructure.

The other counties where local governments could receive aid under an emergency declaration include Chenango, Cortland, Essex, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Oswego, Otsego, Saratoga, Tioga and Warren counties.

Cuomo also asked that a federal emergency declaration include aid to individual property owners in the counties that suffered some of the worst damage: Essex, Hamilton, Herkimer and Oneida.

PHOTOS: Windstorm sweeps through the Buffalo area

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