U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced $2,311.525.73 in federal funds for Suffolk County to cover costs associated with countywide hazardous debris removal in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. This work was undertaken after the storm deposited thousands of cubic yards of sand and other debris across the county.
“Suffolk County was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, and forcing residents to pay expensive cleanup costs would be adding insult to injury,” said Schumer. “These federal funds will go a long way towards ensuring that Suffolk County residents do not have to foot the bill for storm cleanup.”
“This federal funding will provide much needed relief for Suffolk County families and businesses impacted by Superstorm Sandy,” said Gillibrand. “It is critical that Long Island communities have the necessary resources on the ground to recover and rebuild.”
Superstorm Sandy brought strong winds and heavy rains to the New York tri-state area, resulting in downed trees, scattered vegetative debris and other materials strewn throughout busy roadways. Debris was deposited onto public rights of ways, streets, and public access areas throughout the County that posed an immediate threat to public safety and therefore, needed to be removed. Approximately 464,154CY of vegetative debris was removed following Superstorm Sandy.
This funding is in addition to the $14 million in federal funds that Suffolk County Department of Public Works received in July to cover Hurricane Sandy hazardous debris removal costs.