Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - In response to the City of Buffalo's recurrent challenges posed by severe snow emergencies over the past 15 months, the Buffalo Common Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Tuesday urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reassess and broaden its scope for providing public assistance during snow emergencies.
During this period, Buffalo has confronted multiple snow emergencies that have not only confined residents to their homes, but have also led to business closures, substantial economic costs, and, tragically, the loss of lives within the community.
In comparison to other natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding, snow emergencies encounter more stringent regulations and guidelines under FEMA, resulting in a diminished likelihood of qualifying for Federal Emergency assistance.
The restrictive nature of current Federal Assistance policies pertaining to snow emergencies leaves municipalities like Buffalo grappling with the dual challenges of shouldering the financial burden and rebuilding the community in the aftermath of such weather events.
"Buffalo and other municipalities facing severe snow emergencies deserve equitable treatment from FEMA," said Buffalo Common Council President Chris Scanlon. "Our community's safety and recovery efforts should not be compromised due to disparities in federal assistance eligibility.
It's imperative that FEMA revises its guidelines to provide fair and comprehensive support to regions enduring snow emergencies."
Recognizing the disparity in the treatment of snow emergencies compared to other weather-related incidents across the nation, the City of Buffalo Common Council resolves to:
1.) Call on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to amend its rules, ensuring the provision of emergency federal funding to local municipalities experiencing severe snow emergencies.
2.) Direct the City Clerks to disseminate copies of this resolution to key stakeholders, including the office of Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator, the office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, the offices of U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Mayor Byron Brown’s Office.
This resolution aims to rectify the existing imbalance in FEMA assistance, advocating for equitable treatment of snow emergencies to safeguard the well-being of Buffalo residents and support the city's swift recovery in the face of severe weather challenges.