AKWESASNE – (Kenténha/October 1, 2024) Following the devastation caused by severe storms and flooding between August 8th and 10th, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe welcomes the announcement of federal disaster assistance from FEMA, approved by President Joe Biden.
This crucial aid will provide much-needed support to our community as we begin the long road to recovery. Public Assistance federal funding will be instrumental in rebuilding essential infrastructure and facilities damaged or destroyed by the floods. It also opens the Tribe up to Mitigation funding that we could utilize to make infrastructure improvements, making us more resilient to flooding in the future.
“The flooding in August was a reminder of the challenges our community could face from natural disasters with future impacts of climate change,” said Nolan Jacobs, Director of the Office of Emergency Management and Safety. “This federal assistance will be a lifeline, helping us not only rebuild what was lost but also strengthen our infrastructure to better withstand future events. I also want to note that this declaration is for Public Assistance. Individual Assistance, which will get some direct assistance to homeowners is still pending approval. We are hoping to hear very soon on that, and if approved we will be organizing very quickly a process to get homeowners connected with FEMA representatives.”
We are grateful for the swift action of the federal government in recognizing the severity of the situation and offering this assistance. The appointment of Catherine O. Fan as the Federal Coordinating Officer further demonstrates the commitment of FEMA and President Joe Biden in supporting our recovery efforts.
We look forward to working closely with FEMA and other federal agencies in the coming months to ensure that Akwesasne receives the full support it needs to rebuild stronger than before.