After touring flood-ravaged areas Sunday, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D-Forestburgh) is calling on the federal government to provide recovery aid to help Orange and Sullivan county homeowners and businesses. Gunther is joined in her efforts by Assemblyman Kevin Cahill (D-Kingston) and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell).

"Seeing firsthand the far-reaching destruction of last weekend’s storms, it’s imperative that the federal government provide disaster aid to help our communities recover," Gunther said. "The destruction of roadways and bridges – and the property losses to homeowners and businesses – has left local areas with an overwhelming financial burden. Time is of the essence, so I strongly urge Congress and the President to provide immediate assistance to those impacted by these disastrous floods."

"The Federal Emergency Management Agency is just one of the funding sources the federal government can utilize to help our communities recover," Gunther said. "The governor has already declared our region a disaster area, and the President should do the same. It will be a lengthy and costly recovery, but with adequate federal aid, the burden can be eased."

Last weekend’s flooding was deemed the worst locally in 50 years. In Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties, and Pike County, Pa., the flood drove more than 1,300 residents from their homes. An Ulster County woman was killed by the raging waters, and damage estimates are in the millions of dollars.