FEMA Picks Up Sandy Tab

The financial burden of Hurricane Sandy has been lifted. FEMA will reimburse the Town of North Hempstead nearly $12 million for costs related to Sandy, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced Thursday. 

Supervisor Jon Kaiman had said the storm’s cost “would be crushing” without FEMA help. Fear no more.

FEMA has awarded North Hempstead $11,878,338 to offset the costs of collection, removal and disposal of debris that resulted from the Oct. 29, 2012 storm. 

The final tally of the Town’s disaster-generated debris removal was $198.75 per cubic yard, according to Schumer. 

“Superstorm Sandy wreaked significant damage throughout the Town of North Hempstead, creating a massive cleanup effort,” Schumer said. “This federal reimbursement for debris cleanup is critical in making sure that Long Islanders are not entirely on the hook for these expenses and I am pleased that this funding is being provided.” 

When Patch checked in six months after the storm, North Hempstead said it spent $9,853,078.90 on Sandy debris, tree removal and associated labor costs through May 3. Those totals included costs incurred by town departments and contractors.   

At the time, nearly 50,000 tons of debris had been collected though the town’s solid waste facility with New Hyde Park, Port Washington and wooded areas around Old Westbury accounting for much of the waste, Town Deputy Commissioner and Press Secretary Justin Meyers said.