Gov. Kathy Hochul has requested a federal emergency declaration from President Joe Biden to support response and recovery operations in 15 counties following a string of severe weather which recently devastated areas throughout upstate New York.

This declaration would authorize FEMA to provide reimbursement for debris removal operations, emergency protective measures like search and rescue operations, and actions to eliminate or reduce immediate threats of significant additional damage to critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water control facilities and utilities.

The counties included in the declaration request are Chemung, Genesee, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oswego, Oneida, Ontario, Saratoga, Schuyler, Steuben and Warren.  

“After extreme weather struck parts of our state midweek, I’m requesting a federal Emergency Declaration to support our recovery efforts and provide assistance to families and businesses,” Gov. Hochul said. “We must give our communities the support they need to recover, and I will do everything in my power to get New Yorkers the resources they need.” 

There have been 17 confirmed tornados across the state, the largest number of confirmed tornadoes for the month of July since records began in 1950. The previous record was 13 in July 1992.