Gov. Kathy Hochul is calling on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to issue an emergency declaration to help communities in 18 counties after severe storms and flash flooding impacted upstate New York earlier this month.

The declaration includes Allegany, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis, Ontario, Oswego, Schoharie, Schuyler, Steuben, St. Lawrence, Tioga and Yates counties.

The declaration would allow the DEC to utilize the Statewide General Permit for stream activities in impacted areas, including emergency stream repair work in protected waterbodies following a natural disaster. General Permits help communities rebuild by avoiding the process of seeking individual permits. 

“After Hurricane Debby upended the lives of countless New Yorkers, I’ve directed DEC to issue an emergency declaration to expedite recovery efforts so that families and businesses can rebuild,” Hochul said in a statement. “My administration is working around the clock to provide resources and assistance to communities in need, and we will continue to make every effort to ensure a full recovery.” 

To advance these efforts, DEC officials will conduct site visits, meet with property owners and local leaders, and offer technical guidance to review all emergency permit applications received.

“DEC is working tirelessly with our partners at all levels of government to assist communities as they deal with the damage and devastation wrought by flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Debby. This emergency declaration will help expedite critical work necessary to bring communities and infrastructure back on-line and provide the support needed to recover and rebuild,” Interim DEC Commissioner Sean Mahar said in a statement.