The New York Senate has approved a bill to set up a compensation fund that will help home and business owners who’ve suffered losses from Lake Ontario flooding. If approved by the Assembly and signed by Governor Cuomo, it will set up a $55 million Great Lakes Flood Recovery Grant Program.
Home and business owners hit by flooding this spring could apply for repair 
grants; homeowners up to $15,500 for a single house or $30,000 for owners of multiple houses. Farms and small businesses could get up to $50,000. Nonprofit corporations and local governments could also apply.
The bill also covers Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River, where unusually heavy spring rains turned waterfront properties into underwater properties.
Local lawmakers including Senators Rich Funke, Joe Robach and Pam Helming sponsored the bill.
Meanwhile, Governor Cuomo’s office says the state is immediately making $10 million available to assist local governments hit by the flooding along Lake Ontario. The money will support flood recovery efforts and help pay for repairs to breakwaters, flood walls, roads, sidewalks and other public infrastructure damaged by high water.
The money has been tapped from New York’s Homes and Community Renewal Program. Governor Cuomo says municipal governments in Monroe and the other counties named under his emergency declaration this month are eligible to apply for the money immediately.