Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County), a member of the Homeland Security Committee, sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell requesting that FEMA extend its support to include Individual Assistance for the victims of recent flooding and severe weather to further help Long Islanders recover from the storm.
“Last week’s storm caused massive amounts of damage to communities and families across Suffolk County, with many still working hard to recover. I appreciate FEMA’s quick response to my letter from last week ensuring federal assistance can begin to help our communities recover,” said LaLota. “Extending disaster relief efforts to include Individual Assistance will help families across Suffolk County. Local, state, and federal governments must be doing everything we can to help families recover from this disaster and ensure that Long Islanders have a government that works for them, not against them.”
To read the full text of the letter, click HERE.
Background:
In the letter, LaLota thanked Administrator Criswell for FEMA’s prompt and appropriate response to his previous letter requesting assistance. LaLota’s letter highlighted the importance of FEMA’s involvement in recovery efforts and the need to include Individual Assistance in efforts to support Suffolk County.
This week, LaLota joined Governor Kathy Hochul, County Executive Ed Romaine, State Senator Mario Mattera, and other local leaders touring disaster sites in Smithtown.
Last week, LaLota sent a letter formally requesting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide disaster assistance in response to the significant damage caused by the heavy rainfall and flooding on August 18th in Suffolk County. In the letter addressed to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, LaLota expressed strong support for Governor Kathy Hochul’s state of emergency declaration and emphasized the urgent need for federal resources to aid in the recovery efforts.
Last week, LaLota led the Long Island delegation in urging Governor Hochul to declare a state of emergency so the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) could begin to assist in the cleanup and recovery efforts.
The severe weather event led to widespread flooding across Long Island, with Suffolk County bearing the brunt of the storm. The heavy rainfall caused a major road collapse in Stony Brook, leading to evacuations and significant damage to critical infrastructure throughout the region. Local resources and emergency services have been stretched to their limits, necessitating immediate federal assistance.
LaLota is a member of the Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.