Mohawk Valley receives remedial flood funding

Two municipalities in the Mohawk Valley area have received federal money to help alleviate problems associated with past flooding issues.

On Friday, U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, announced over $1 million in federal funding for Rome to help restore Pinti Field Park, which was damaged in flooding from Tropical Storm Fred in August 2021.

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, announced the village of Dolgeville will receive over $1 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to restore properties damaged in the November 2019 Halloween floods.

Pinti Field

When Tropical Storm Fred hit Rome in August 2021, city parks and playgrounds were submerged. The flooding destroyed several homes and laid waste to other areas in the city, including Pinti Field.

Following the storm, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand lobbied President Biden to approve a major disaster declaration in upstate New York. Federal support has slowly trickled in.

In 2023 FEMA approved a $623,086 subrecipient grant for the acquisition and demolition of five properties located in the 100-year floodplain.

Now, $1,007,341 will go toward restoring the Pinti Field Park’s playground, bocce court, fishing pier, and parking lot, as well as for hazard mitigation against future similar damages by paying for the installation of stone armor and rock vanes.

“Pinti Field is one of Rome's largest and most utilized public park facilities," Rome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan said, in a statement. "Restoration is an important step forward to healing from the superstorm."

Schumer, the Senate majority leader, noted that federal aid will continue.

“I will keep fighting to make sure the Mohawk Valley and all impacted communities have the resources they need to recover from this devastating flood," he said in a statement announcing the funding.

Dolgeville flooding

Severe storms with heavy rains and strong winds hit Dolgeville in Oct. 2019, causing the East Canada Creek to breach its banks, sending water into homes.

Around 30 buildings were destroyed. A dozen others experienced structural damage.

Then-governor Andrew Cuomo deployed 200 members of the National Guard to assist localities with clean up. Stefanik worked with state and local officials to initiate a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment in order to access FEMA funds to rebuild the affected communities.

Two months later then-president Donald Trump declared a major disaster to release federal funds to help New York State.

According to Mayor Mary E. Puznowski, the FEMA funds will go directly towards the Fink Creek Culvert Project. The entire culvert area – from downtown Dolgeville to East Canada Creek – will be removed and replaced.

“We have several remedial projects in the works with FEMA,” said Puznowski. “This is just another piece of the puzzle.”

Puznowski noted that upwards of 20 homes have already been purchased by the village, using FEMA funds. Repairs will be made to the affected water and sewer systems on N. Main Street later this year, she added.

Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, released a statement acknowledging her continued support.

“I will always work to bring resources home to NY21 and make sure Upstate New York and the North Country has the support it needs in times of emergencies," she said.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Mohawk Valley municipalities receive FEMA support for flooding issues