Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Smithtown) sent a letter (attached in full above) to President Joe Biden, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Nick LaLota, and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday, October 9. All shared a verbatim plea of urgency extended Biden’s way: to approve Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) relief.
“On August 19th, a historic dam in Blydenburgh County Park, Smithtown, New York, was destroyed due to catastrophic flooding caused by a storm surge,” Kennedy writes. “This dam was one of the oldest dams in our nation's history, dating back to 1798, when two men by the name of Isaac and Caleb Smith dammed the Nissequogue River to create a mill.
She adds, “This mill and its surrounding complex would serve as one of the best-preserved examples of life and housing of early American history, and as such, is recognized on a state and federal level as the Blydenburgh Park Historic District. Without the dam, the historic district sits high above drained mud flats, and now serves as a testament as to why it's dangerous to play politics with our nation's heritage.”
Kennedy goes on to stress that partisan politics need not come into play when weighing a matter that demands swift resolution. She says residents of her community hold cherished memories from childhood and beyond of Stump Pond, a result of the damming of the Nissequogue River, and will not be able to create more without the approval of said emergency declaration.
Commending Governor Kathy Hochul (D) for declaring a state of emergency after the August 18-19 storm surge, Kennedy insists “We are still waiting on the emergency FEMA funding to be approved by the federal executive.”
“This lack of action is dangerous,” she adds, “and it is why I have decided to draft this letter… It is time to stop delaying, and it is time to do what is right by our shared constituencies.”
Last month, the Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Commissioner wrote local legislators like Kennedy of an urgent update within the Office of Emergency Management.
On September 16, the New York Homes and Community Renewal emergency repair program for homeowners in both Suffolk and Nassau County officially opened.
The Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc.—acronymized LIHP—was selected as the designated Local Program Administrator for the New York State Resilient and Ready Home Repair Grant Program.
Allocated funds falling under the repair grant program’s bandwidth consist of emergency housing repairs needed to make impacted homes safer, restore sanitary conditions, and revive overall habitability. Non-urgent repairs to ancillary structures do not fall under this criteria.
Offered on a “first-come, first-serve basis” the deadline to apply for monetary relief was on October 7. Therefore, the community still relies on additional efforts—namely federal aid—to assist those still in desperate need.
"I strongly urge all of my constituents who were affected by the flooding to apply as soon as they possibly can,” Kennedy shared in a statement with The South Shore Press at the time.
Some Long Islanders were more skeptical, questioning the exact agenda of the muscle behind the grant—and even its necessity to begin with: “You really have to advertise to give public money away? Why is this? Just ask an insurance agent, they have the claim info,” Brian Bird, of Huntington, wrote on Facebook.
Any questions regarding this program should be directed to: NYSFloodProgram@LIHP.org or by phone (631) 435-4710.
Any questions regarding the lack of follow-up aid from more premier task forces by way of the Executive Branch should contact their local representative.
As demonstrated, they will be sure to relay the message.