SCHUMER SECURES $6.5+ MILLION IN FEMA FUNDING FOR JASPER-TROUPSBURG CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AND STEUBEN COUNTY TO BOLSTER ONGOING FLOOD RECOVERY AND HELP COMMUNITY REBUILD STRONGER
Schumer Says FEMA Funding For School District Is Crucial Step For Getting Kids Back Into Their School And Reimbursing For Tremendous Costs Incurred By The District From The Flooding During Tropical Storm Fred, And For Steuben County From Tropical Storm Debby
Schumer: Fed $$ Will Deliver Much-Needed Additional Aid For Steuben County
Following years of advocacy to help Steuben County in its flood recovery, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded over $6.5 million for Jasper-Troupsburg Central School District and Steuben County to recover from devastating flooding of Tropical Storms Fred and Debby. This funding will help the County repair the road and reimburse the school district for costs from cleanup and restoration measures taken to protect the building from further damage from the flood, which is essential for helping the school district move forward.
“Steuben County, especially the Jasper-Troupsburg School District, faced once-in-a-generation damage and devastation during the flooding of Tropical Storms Fred and Debby. Since then, I have fought relentlessly to get them the critical federal resources they need to recover and build back stronger,” said Senator Schumer. “This over $6.5 million in federal funding will reimburse the County and the Jasper-Troupsburg Central School District for the emergency measures they took to prevent further damage from flooding and will put the community on the path for a safer future. I will not stop fighting to deliver the federal resources for Steuben County to rebuild, recover, and restore.”
“The Jasper-Troupsburg Central School District extends its sincere gratitude to Senator Schumer and his office for their support in securing the release of $2.9 million in FEMA funding, said Jason Oliver, Jasper-Troupsburg Central School District. “These funds will help cover the significant costs of cleanup from the Debby Disaster of August 2024, which caused widespread damage and disruption throughout our community. This relief will ease the financial burden on the district and allow us to keep our focus on educating our students. We are deeply appreciative of Senator Schumer’s efforts and advocacy on behalf of our community during this challenging time.”
The Jasper-Troupsburg Central School District will receive $2,946,315.09 in FEMA funding to cover these costs of repair. In addition, Steuben County will receive $3,617,003.17 in FEMA funding to help restore County Route 129 in Woodhull, removing and replacing the concrete retaining wall, asphalt roadway pavement, and steel guard rails after it was severely damaged.
Schumer explained, in 2021, Steuben County saw heavy rains and flooding after Tropical Storm Fred, and the County has long sought this funding to repair and strengthen County Route 129. Then, last August, during Tropical Storm Debby that there was once again devastating flash flooding in Jasper, impacting the Jasper-Troupsburg Central School District’s middle and high school buildings, requiring the school district to implement emergency protective measures and reduce any further damage.
Schumer previously fought for federal resources for Steuben County and the Jasper-Troupsburg Central School District following Tropical Storm Fred. The storm resulted in the Jasper-Troupsburg High School becoming inundated with nearly four feet of water, mud, and debris, causing severe damage and forcing the building to close and students to relocate. After securing a federal disaster declaration for Tropical Storm Fred for Steuben County, unlocking critical federal aid to bolster the Southern Tier’s flood recovery, Schumer secured $5,630,020 in federal FEMA funding to cover the Jasper-Troupsburg Central School District for Emergency Protective Measures.
Later, Tropical Storm Debby wreaked havoc across New York State, including in Steuben County. Schumer explained last August that there was flash flooding in Jasper, impacting the middle and high school building’s first floor, crawl space, and basement, and creating an immediate threat to the health and safety of students and the general public. As a result, the school district installed dehumidification systems and air filtration devices, remediated mold, demolished drywall, removed debris, did emergency pumping, and did general cleaning.
Now, this new $3,617,003.17 in FEMA federal funding will help the County restore County Route 129, removing and replacing the concrete retaining wall, asphalt roadway pavement, and steel guard rails after it was severely damaged. The $2,946,315.09 in federal funding will cover these costs and other restoration efforts taken to prevent further damage within the building.
Schumer previously urged FEMA to deliver this critical federal funding for Steuben County and the Jasper-Troupsburg Central School District. Schumer has additionally supported Jasper-Troupsburg Central School District in their successful bid for FEMA assistance to relocate the school to a new location with significantly reduced flood risk to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and staff. This projected $55 million in federal funding for the new school, will ensure students, teachers, and staff can learn and work at a safe, healthy new building without fear of impacts from another flood. Schumer is continuing to push for increased investment in weather preparedness services, aiming to reduce future disaster impacts, particularly in flood-prone regions like Steuben County.
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