Governor Cuomo made a sudden visit to Monroe County and the Lake Ontario shoreline, pledging $7 million in state funding to help flooded homeowners along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
On part of Edgemere Drive in Greece that was underwater Friday and Saturday, the governor said the new investment program will put up to $40,000 into the hands of homeowners to cover interior and exterior structural damage and fixtures. Cuomo also signed legislation introduced by area lawmakers to amend the state’s Clean Water Infrastructure Act, allowing immediate emergency financial aid for local governments who are having to pay for flood damage to public property. That should help keep them from having to slap homeowners with a property tax increase to cover those costs.
This is on top of the $10 million already committed by the state to help local governments cope and $5 million pledged to help small businesses deal with flood losses. Anyone in the area covered by Governor Cuomo’s emergency declaration earlier this month is eligible to apply.
Cuomo also ordered a five mph speed limit for boats near the Lake Ontario shoreline to avoid wake damage while the water remains at record heights.
Cuomo says he’s asked for large boulders and rip-rap to be placed along the shore where needed to control wave damage. He visited a damaged home and spoke with a number of homeowners.