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Flood Resources and Assistance for Lewis County Residents

Insurance Questions

The NYS Office of Emergency Management has provided the Department of Financial Services hotline that will be available daily from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM to answer any questions about insurance needs in our community. Please call 1-800-339-1759 with your questions.

Tools and Resources

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 

As of October 21, 2024, the following municipalities and community stakeholders are working with FEMA and DHSES representatives to complete their damage inventory for FEMA assistance. 

  1. Town of Croghan 
  2. Lewis County 
  3. Lowville Central School District (Lowville Academy & Central) 
  4. Lowville Fire Department 
  5. Lowville United Methodist Church 
  6. Town of Lowville 
  7. Village of Lowville 
  8. Town of Martinsburg 
  9. Town of New Bremen  
  10. Town of Watson 

In the coming months, municipalities and Private-Not-For-Profits will work with representatives from the NYS Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and FEMA to prepare a comprehensive list of damages and proposed repair or mitigation projects to public facilities or infrastructure and select private not for profits. 

NNY Community Foundation and Dyson Local Flood Damage Assistance

NNY Community Foundation and the Dyson Foundation have awarded Snow Belt $20,000 in funding to fill in the gaps of funding for Lewis County residents. 

This funding can be used for any household who experienced a loss due to the extreme weather events, to include:

  • Home repairs that are not covered by NYS HCR.
  • Food loss.
  • Car damage.
  • Mortgage/rent loss due to replacing/repairing. items damaged by the flood.
  • Other critical needs.

Please complete the linked application below to be eligible.

You may also call Snowbelt Housing at 315-376-2639 or access their website at https://snowbelt.org/ for more information.

Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance

Disaster Loan Assistance is now available for businesses, homeowners, and renters who were impacted by the flooding on July 10th, 2024.

  • You may apply for assistance HERE.
    • Applications are due November 8, 2024
  1. See the SBA News Release HERE.
  2. See the detailed Fact sheet HERE.
  3. See the SBA Disaster Declaration HERE. 

    For Private Individuals:

    • The SBA offers homeowners low interest, fixed rate loans of up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence with a maturity of up to 30 years.
    • The SBA offers BOTH renters and homeowners low interest loans of up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property with a maturity of up to 30 years. This may be used to replace belongings — such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances — damaged or destroyed in a disaster.

    For Small Businesses:

    • The SBA offers low interest loans of up to $2 million to qualified businesses or most private nonprofit organizations to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance, with a maturity of up to 30 years.

    Individual Financial Assistance

    Flood Repair Program

    The NYS Resilient & Ready Home Repair Program (Snow Belt Flood Rehabilitation Program) is now open and will address immediate health and safety damages sustained to homes due to three storm events that occurred between July 10th – August 19th, 2024, in select counties of New York State.

    Homeowners can apply for reimbursement of costs incurred to their primary home, which were not covered by the homeowner’s insurance, or they can apply to get work done for damages incurred by completing the linked Application and returning the required documents. The required document list can be found at the end of the Handbook (includes Proof of Ownership of the Damaged Property and Proof of Income) and will need to be furnished by the homeowner in order to receive assistance. Complete applications with documents must be received by November 8, 2024. Applications will not be accepted after this date.

    All households are eligible with household income up to $157,800 or 150% of the County Area Median Income based on household size, (see chart), whichever is greater.

    • Income guidelines for July 10 and 17, 2024:
      • 1 person household: $87,750
      • 2-person household: $100,200
      • 3-person household: $112,800
      • 4-person household: $125,250
      • 5-person household: $135,300
      • 6-person household: $145,350
      • 7-person household: $155,400
      • 8-person household: $165,450

    Applications (with required documents) will be processed based on a first come first serve basis until all funds are committed. We are asking homeowners to return complete application packets (with required documents) by mail, drop off in our secure lockbox at the main office or by emailing information@snowbelt.org 

    **Applications can be mailed or dropped off at 7500 South State Street, Lowville, NY 13367**

    Application Available Here

    Dept. of Social Services Emergency Assistance

    Lewis County Department of Social Services can assist with health and safety items such as replacing furnaces and hot water heaters damaged or lost in the recent flooding for individuals who meet income guidelines.

      • Emergency Assistance to Families  
      • Emergency Safety Net Assistance 

    For more information or income guidelines, please visit: DSS Assistance Flyer.pdf

    For questions or assistance applying for this program, contact DSS at (315) 376-5400 

    Click Here for more Info

    Business Financial Assistance

    Businesses may be eligible to access the following resource:   

    Contact Cheyenne Steria at cheyenne@naturallylewis.com or call (315) 376-3014 with any questions. 

    Assistance for Private Non-Profit Organizations

    Private Non-Profit organizations (PNPs) that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature may be eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans for damages. 

    Applications are due:

    1. For Physical Damages: October 28, 2024
    2. For Economic Injury:  May 29, 2025
    • Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools, and colleges.  
    • PNP organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.  The interest rate is 3.25%, with terms up to 30 years. 
    • Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements might include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by any disaster. 

    Private Non-Profits may start their application here: Disaster Declaration Search  

    See the Disaster Declaration Here: NY 20593 Disaster Declaration 

    See the Fact Sheet Here: Generic Fact Sheet 

    Pending Financial Assistance

    Environmental BOND Act Funding

    Lewis County is investigating possible flood mitigation funding opportunities to mediate future flooding risk throughout the county, including NYS Environmental Bond Act Funding. We welcome any municipal leaders or community members with projects in mind to reach out to Grant Coordinator Grace Metzler at gracemetzler@lewiscounty.ny.gov with potential project ideas.  

    Municipal and Stakeholder Collaborations

    Lewis County continues to partner with our municipalities and stakeholders who have been impacted by the recent flooding or have concerns about future flooding risk. We welcome community participation and input. You may find our legislative board meeting schedule, board minutes, and other details here:

    Board of Legislators

    You may also find information on your village or town board meetings via their websites or by contacting them directly.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

    How do I become more prepared in the future for an emergency?
    • Have a plan ready in case there is a flood in your area.
      • Get your home and supplies ready.
        • Know what to do if there is a flood watch or warning in your area.
          • Be prepared in case you need to evacuate—never ignore an evacuation order.

          Visit the CDC website below for other tips are preparedness during a flood 

          Preparing for Floods | Floods | CDC

          The Lewis County Naturally Healthy App gives weather alerts for our area, feel free to download in your app store. The app also provides other useful Lewis County Public Health information. 

          Who should I contact if I need help?

          NYS Flood Assistance Hotline: 1-866-697-2434
          Red Cross Shelter Hotline: 1-315-705-5293
          PSC Utility Hotline: 1-800-342-3377
          Disaster Insurance Hotline: 1-800-339-1759
          National Flood Insurance Program: 1-877-568-9045

          Local Office Contact Information:
          Lewis County Public Health: 1-315-376-5453
          Lewis County Emergency Management: 1-315-376-5303
          Lewis County Department of Social Services: 1-315-376-5400
          Lewis County Health System: 1-315-376-5200
          Lewis County Office for the Aging: 1-315-376-5313

          Should I get a tetanus vacccine?

          Tetanus is a bacteria that can be found in soil, manure, and on rusty objects. Even minor cuts/scrapes exposed to flood water are at risk for tetanus infection and may warrant a tetanus shot. Individuals with wounds who have not had a tetanus shot within the last 5 years should receive a booster. Tetanus shots should be given within 48 hours of exposure.

          For more information about Tetanus, please visit: Tetanus Vaccination | Tetanus | CDC