Gov. Hochul seeks 'major disaster declaration' funds for Nassau, Suffolk from Trump administration in wake of September nor'easter

Gov. Kathy Hochul has asked the Trump administration to approve financial aid for Long Island municipalities slammed by last month's nor’easter, which caused widespread flooding and disrupted travel and utility services in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Hochul requested for President Donald Trump to declare the Sept. 26 and 27 storm a major disaster so local governments and nonprofits can apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal funds “for debris removal, protective measures, and repairs to public buildings and infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water and wastewater treatment facilities, critical infrastructure sites, schools, parks and other facilities,” the governor’s office said in a news release.

Working with both counties, FEMA and the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services determined the storm, which coincided with a full moon, wrought enough damages to warrant Hochul to seek federal aid, according to the release.

The National Weather Service recorded 3.32 inches of rain on Sept. 26 and 27 at Islip. Isolated areas received more than 6 inches of precipitation, causing “flash flooding in low-lying areas and exacerbated the coastal flooding and wind impacts,” according to Hochul's office.

Winds in excess of 50 mph blew through Nassau, while gusts stronger than 65 mph battered Suffolk, Newsday reported at the time. Aggressive waves that delighted surfers carved sand from South Shore beaches. Flooding suspended Long Island Rail Road service. Ordinary streets were more easily passable by kayak than Cadillac. Downed trees and power lines cut off roadways as well as power for more than 124,000 PSEG Long Island customers, according to the utility provider.

Hochul, who declared a state of emergency on the eve of the storm, said the fall weekend nor'easter was the “latest in a series of severe weather to impact downstate, and I thank our first responders and emergency management officials for their efforts to keep New Yorkers safe throughout the storm.”

Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine told Newsday federal dollars would help repair hard-hit areas like Smith Point County Park in Shirley and Dunne Road in Southampton Town.

“This is an important step to help people address any damage that was caused by yet another punishing storm,” Romaine added in a statement shared through spokesperson Mike Martino.

A spokesperson for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman did not immediately respond to Newsday’s request for comment.

Several elected officials called on Trump to approve Hochul’s request, including U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

“Governor Hochul’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration would help ensure Nassau and Suffolk Counties are reimbursed for emergency measures taken to protect lives and property and have the resources needed to fully recover,” Schumer said in a statement. “I urge the President to expeditiously approve this request so FEMA can deliver the federal assistance necessary to repair critical infrastructure, strengthen our coastal communities, and make New York more resilient for future storms.”