Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Cuomo Creates Storm and Flooding Recovery Task Force

Group Will Coordinate Disaster Response and Recovery Efforts for the Catskills, Upper Hudson Valley and Mohawk Valley

Governor Andrew Cuomo today established the Upstate Storm and Flooding Recovery Task Force, which will be comprised of key agency commissioners and ensure seamless coordination between agencies. These agencies will work together to coordinate rebuilding of infrastructure, economic development, agricultural renewal, power restoration, and assistance with private insurance.

"From repairing roads and bridges, getting power back, helping with insurance claims and working with family farms, state government has rapidly mobilized to make sure that all available resources are in place to help the affected areas recover. This task force will ensure the highest level of state and local coordination to leverage all state resources and get them to where they are needed," Governor Cuomo said.

The task force will be chaired by Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Darrel Aubertine and President and CEO of the Environmental Facilities Corporation Matthew Driscoll. Full membership of the task force is below:

Co-chair -- Darrel Aubertine, Commissioner, Department of Agriculture and Markets
Co-chair – Matthew Driscoll, President and CEO, Environmental Facilities Corporation
Joan McDonald – Commissioner, Department of Transportation
General Pat Murphy – Adjutant General, Division of Military and Naval Affairs
Andrew Feeney – Director, State Emergency Management Office
Joseph D’Amico – Superintendent, State Police
Joseph Martens – Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation
Ben Lawsky – Superintendent, Department of Financial Services
Garry Brown – Chairman, Public Service Commission
RoAnn Destito – Commissioner, Office of General Services
Brian Stratton – Director, Canal Corporation
Kenneth Adams – President and CEO, Empire State Development Corporation

As a result of the record heavy rains caused by Hurricane Irene, there is historic flooding occurring in the region that has damaged numerous roads and bridges, destroyed 500-600 homes, and devastated thousands of acres of farmland.

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