Press Releases

Calls on Governor Hochul to declare State of Emergency in the Lower Hudson Valley Region and Request a Major Disaster Declaration from President Biden.

Congressman Mike Lawler released the following statement after an incredibly damaging storm impacted the Hudson Valley last night. The historic rainfall over the course of the last 24 hours has left roads and bridges severely damaged, municipal buildings flooded, sewer plants underwater, and caused millions in property damage to residents across the 17th Congressional District.

“I am calling on Governor Hochul to immediately request a Major Disaster Declaration from President Biden and declare a State of Emergency in the Lower Hudson Valley region, inclusive of Rockland, Westchester, and Putnam Counties,” said Congressman Lawler. "The damage across the Hudson Valley is significant and we need to keep the ball rolling here."

“It's incumbent on all of our federal, state, and local elected officials to work together in order to assess the damage. After speaking with Director of State Operations Kathryn Garcia earlier today, we are moving full steam ahead in this effort,” stated Congressman Lawler. "It's clear, based on initial assessments, that we are looking at tens of millions of dollars in damage here, and we all need to work together in order to ensure that the full force of OEM and FEMA are able to help with recovery efforts."

"I have been in contact with local officials from impacted municipalities throughout the past 24 hours," continued Congressman Lawler. "I have spent much of today touring the district with our incredible first responders, public works employees, and local leaders in an effort to help each county impacted reach the threshold in damages so as to qualify for a Major Disaster Declaration."

"I am hopeful that through our combined efforts we will be able to secure the funding required for our Hudson Valley communities to recover in full," concluded Congressman Lawler. "I pray for all those impacted, those who lost their lives and their families, and for our incredible first responders and public works employees who have been working tirelessly throughout the past two days."

New York's 17th Congressional District is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.