Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A bill introduced by Congressman Tim Kennedy (D, NY-26) in Washington will be geared toward better helping communities in Western New York and elsewhere when impacted by extreme snowstorms.
Kennedy was in Buffalo on Monday to formally announce the "Support Neighborhoods Offset Winter Damage (SNOW) Act", which is geared toward updating the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster assistance policies to better help communities prepare for and recover from snowstorms.
"Time and again, our communities in Western New York have faced severe snowstorms without the federal support needed to respond. The Christmas Blizzard of 2022 is the latest example of how damaging and deadly snowstorms can be and it’s time for the federal government to step up," said Congressman Kennedy on Monday. "That’s why I’ve written the SNOW Act, legislation requiring FEMA to treat catastrophic blizzards the same as any other natural disaster. This bill will help local governments across the country prepare for, respond to, and recover from extreme snowstorms. We can’t afford to do nothing. The cost is too great."
The Buffalo Blizzard of 2022, the deadliest on record, showed that FEMA’s snow assistance policy is outdated, limited in scope, and prevents communities from adequately preparing for, responding to, and recovering from catastrophic snowstorms.
Congressman Kennedy’s SNOW Act would bring extreme snowstorms on par with other emergencies and natural disasters in order to access federal assistance.
"This legislation is crucial for updating FEMA's policies to allow for important federal support to be readily available to local governments impacted by significant winter weather events," said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz on Monday. "We know here in Erie County the importance of being able to access federal funding before, during and after a major snowstorm or blizzard. I thank Congressman Kennedy for his leadership and vision in providing protection against future catastrophic weather events."
Specifically, this legislation would:
Update storm severity threshold to unlock federal funding: FEMA requires record snowfall to qualify for disaster assistance. This bill would update FEMA’s guidelines for approving assistance by incorporating damages, wind speed, wind chill, and the affected area’s real median household income.
Provide access to snow removal equipment: This bill would add snow removal equipment to FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program which provides proactive investment in resilience for communities.
Help state and local governments recover from storms: FEMA only provides snow assistance for emergency protective measures. This bill would provide assistance to include debris removal, and work on roads, bridges, water control facilities, public buildings, public utilities, public parks, and other facilities.
Provide financial assistance to impacted individuals: This bill would expand assistance to individuals when the cost of a snowstorm exceeds the ability of the state to respond or recover.
Increase the federal cost share: To better support disadvantaged and rural communities, this bill would increase the federal cost share from 75% federal and 25% state/local to 90% federal and 10% state/local. This would include all communities in New York’s 26th Congressional District, including the City of Buffalo.
"As a city and region that has endured some of the most severe snowstorms in recent memory, including the devastating Christmas Blizzard of 2022, we know all too well the significant challenges these events bring," said City of Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon. "Congressman Kennedy’s SNOW Act addresses the need for FEMA policies that recognize the increasing frequency and impact of extreme winter weather that targets our city and region. By elevating devastating snowstorms that affect Western New York into the same response framework as other natural disasters across the country, the SNOW Act ensures our region will receive the support it needs and deserves."