New York state has appealed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s September decision to deny individual assistance to homeowners in Orange and Ontario counties who were impacted by flooding in July, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday.

“With climate change continuing to increase the frequency and severity of natural disasters, we will always fight to ensure eligible New Yorkers can access every possible federal dollar to recover and rebuild after devastating storms,” Hochul said in a statement.

Flooding in both counties displaced residents and led Hochul to declare a state of emergency.

When July flood waters reached her knees, Kat DaGave had to be pulled out of her first floor Highland Falls apartment and into a boat by firefighters.

“It was nerve-wracking and, of course, (I was) scared to death," she said. "My granddaughter kept calling me, ‘grandma, please just get up on the bed. You'll be safe there if you just get up on the bed, grandma.’”

A total of 110 days later, she and about 25 others have had to live out of a Central Valley hotel. Even more are displaced or homeless, while some are able to stay with families while repairs are ongoing.

So far, the only assistance flood victims have received is up $50,000 in state funds.

“Not just for the residents of the apartment complex, but for anybody who lost. If you get $50,000 and all that does is fix your foundation, now what?” DaGave said.

The state's appeal was welcome news for DaGave, but she said lawmakers must act to provide significant help immediately to homeowners and renters alike who are still suffering.

“This is the second time that a flood has taken these people out who are elderly and/or disabled and put them in a hotel," she said, referring to 2011 flood from Hurricane Irene. "So there needs to be a permanent fix, and the federal government needs to figure out a way to help us.”

Rep. Pat Ryan and other state officials requested in August that homeowners receive individual assistance, which would’ve provided direct financial relief to residents of both counties, including funds that would’ve supported the repair or replacement of affected homes and businesses.

FEMA determined in September the flooding’s impact didn’t warrant the designation of individual assistance after reviewing federal, state and local assessments.

Many Orange County families are still facing setbacks from the flooding — including some who are rebuilding their homes from “the ground up,” according to state Sen. James Skoufis, who represents New York’s 42nd District, which covers nearly the entirety of Orange County.

“For FEMA to string them along, only to deliver the crushing blow of an outright refusal to provide aid, was callous and unjust,” Skoufis said in a statement. “I thank Governor Hochul for appealing FEMA’s denial to ensure our constituents have the opportunity to properly recover, and move forward.”

The Hudson Valley has received other forms of assistance, with the White House approving New York’s major disaster declaration in July, which provided emergency funding for recovery and reconstruction efforts in Clinton, Dutchess, Essex, Hamilton, Ontario, Orange, Putnam and Rockland counties.