ALBANY (AP) -- President Barack Obama has declared that fierce spring storms caused a disaster in 21 upstate New York counties, freeing federal money to help pay for emergency work and infrastructure repair or replacement.
He cited the run of severe weather that battered much of upstate with a mix of flooding, strong winds and tornadoes from April 26 to May 8.
The declaration Friday had been requested by the state and covers the following counties: Allegany, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Steuben, Tioga, Ulster, Warren, and Yates.
A Federal Emergency Management Agency official will coordinate the federal operation. FEMA says more places could be added to the list later based on damage assessments.
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