Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, says this week's strong winds that led to high waves was further proof of the need for the additional $40 million for flood relief for communities on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario included in the 2018-19 state budget she helped pass last week.

The allocation in the budget brings the total state assistance to $95 million for the flood relief act.

“I’ve witnessed the impacts of flooding firsthand and know that our economy and tourism industry were struggling, but I also saw the true spirit of the North Country when I was filling sandbags last summer with volunteers and members of the National Guard,” Jenne said.

The St. Lawrence experienced flooding starting last spring and summer, severely impacting homes and businesses along the lake and river.

In addition to physical damage, Jenne said she is concerned drops in tourism in the region last summer could be felt for years to come as these communities rebuild.

She co-sponsored legislation in the state Assembly - a bill sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle - to create the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence Seaway Flood Relief and Recovery Grant Program to provide grants to small businesses, farms, homeowners and municipalities for storm-related repairs and rebuilding efforts.

For impacted homeowners, legislation enacted last summer increased the maximum award from $40,000 to $50,000 and expanded eligibility to include all primary homeowners, as well as non-primary homeowners with income up to $275,000.

Program assistance reimburses homeowners for eligible losses, including repairs to and restoration of structures, equipment, and other physical damage. The program is being administered through not-for profit housing organizations seeking to help homeowners affected by the flooding.

Small businesses, farms, homeowner associations, and not-for-profit organizations that sustained direct physical flood-related damage are eligible to receive up to $50,000 under this program, while owners of multiple dwellings are eligible to receive up to $20,000.

Program assistance are calculated at 50 percent of eligible loss, compensating eligible entities for repairs to and restoration of structures, equipment, and other physical damage and declines in revenue in excess of 15 percent as a result of closures or reduced business. The program is administered by Empire State Development.

Counties, cities, towns, villages and special districts that sustained direct physical flood-related damage are also eligible to receive up to $1,000,000 for repairs to and restoration of municipal infrastructure and systems and up to $500,000 for flood mitigation, construction of resiliency measures, or flood control projects. This program is administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal.

Jenne said negotiations with the executive branch had led to an initial $45 million allocation in July. But she said the governor has repeatedly pledged all eligible applicants will receive relief for direct physical damages related to the historic St. Lawrence River flooding and his support for the additional funding over the past several months if proof that he is living up to that commitment.