$2.9 Million in Lake Ontario Flood Relief Funds

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the awarding of $2.9 million in Lake Ontario Flood Relief funds to local governments in Wayne, Orleans, Niagara, Cayuga, and Jefferson counties dedicated to restoration resiliency and recovery efforts following last year’s flooding.

“The Lake Ontario shoreline experienced historic and damaging flooding last year, and we continue to stand with New Yorkers whose communities are still recovering,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding supports our mission to build back stronger and smarter and help every impacted town and resident get back on their feet.”

The funding is part of the State’s $95 million commitment to the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence Seaway Shorelines. The recovery program started with an initial $45 million commitment for aid to residents, small businesses, and municipalities affected by the flood.

It was supplemented with two $5 million grants from the State and Municipal Facilities Program to bolster previous relief and provide necessary financial assistance to recovery efforts. The Fiscal Year 2019 State Budget recently signed by Governor Cuomo included an additional $40 million for the recovery program.

RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, said: “This funding is essential to our Lake Ontario communities in supporting their efforts to recover from last year’s flooding. Thanks to Governor Cuomo’s leadership, our shoreline communities are building back stronger than ever before.”

The projects supported by the funding include shoreline reconstruction and stabilization, reimbursement for emergency repairs during the flooding, and seawall reconstruction.