Dans Papers - May 11, 2007 - What It Takes To Be Declared A Disaster

While attention this week has focused on the horrible tornado-related disasters in Kansas, last month's monsoon-like nor'easter caused meaningful damage in Long Island (although on a much smaller scale, of course). County officials estimate that the intense wind gusts and rainfall caused about $10 million worth of damage, much of it to beaches -- just as the summer season is beginning. They would like the United States government, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to declare the areas a "disaster" and pay for repairs.

According to its website, FEMA exists "to ensure that individuals and communities affected by disasters of all sizes are able to return to normal function with minimal suffering and disruption of services." Among the "hazards" following which FEMA will provide assistance are severe thunderstorms and floods. For FEMA funds to become available, the President must declare a location to be a disaster area, as he just did for Kansas.

FEMA assistance is most commonly provided to individuals - funds are often used to help rebuild homes when insurance has been exhausted or is unavailable. In addition, small businesses harmed by a disaster are eligible for loans. Localities may also receive assistance, which, in this case, would be used to restore beaches and repair infrastructure.

The Suffolk County government is seeking assistance because Long Island beaches are such an important driver of tourism and the local economy. The worst damage -- representing nearly half of the total damage from the storm last month -- occurred at Cupsoque Beach County Park in Westhampton. The severe erosion will require a massive sand-replenishment effort.

The Smith Point County Park in Shirley just west of the Hamptons also suffered damge. Although substantial, the damage could have been much worse. As it happens, the County had just dredged 225,000 cubic yards of sand from the ocean floor and used it to replenish that beach, at a cost of $4.5 million. At first, it had not appeared that permits would be issued for this work. But after County Executive Steve Levy placed calls to Congressman Tim Bishop and Senator Chuck Schumer, permission was granted. The replenishment was completed just before the storm, which removed nearly half of the new sand in some places.

The County hopes to obtain disaster relief funds for both the Westhampton beach and the Smith Point beach. If the President does not declare the damage to be a FEMA-type disaster, the County and Towns will have to pay for the repairs. Governor Eliot Spitzer made a formal request for a disaster designation for Suffolk County and also a number of others. Both New York Senators are supporting Suffolk County in seeking a declaration, although in a written statement to the President asking him to approve the disaster relief request for various areas, Senator Hillary Clinton did not single out Westhampton as she did for some other areas.

The President has already approved the use of FEMA funds for Westchester, Rockland and Orange Counties, but there has been no decision about nine other counties, including Suffolk. Senator Schumer has urged the President to act favorably on those counties as well. FEMA officials, who will advise the President, are assessing the damage as part of their consideration of the request.