Is Critical Storm Damage Assistance Coming for Otsego County from NY State?

Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she is going to bat for three counties in New York State, one of which is Otsego County, which has suffered after severe weather events.

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Severe storms in Otsego County from July 16 to July 19 caused extensive major damage at 19 homes and 9 businesses with a total price tag of $845,000 in damages. Minor damages were experienced at 32 homes and 1 business in the county totaling $225,000.

Hoping to help residents and businesses recover from storm damages, Hochul has made an appeal to get the county declared as a Physical Disaster from the Small Business Administration. if the Physical Disaster Declaration status is granted, the surrounding counties - Schoharie, Delaware, Chenango, Madison, Oneida, Herkimer, and Montgomery would also be included in the declaration, and residents and businesses impacted would be eligible to apply for low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration to aid in their recovery.

Damages in the county have been viewed by The State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, who partnered with emergency management officials in Otsego to survey damages in the affected communities following the storms. Upon approval, groups from 18 counties may be eligible to receive help from SBA loans.