BUFFALO, N.Y. -- From Holland to Hamburg, the damage was widespread last week, as not one, but three tornadoes touched down in Western New York. That's not to mention the flash flooding.
"It's an emergency situation. Lives were at stake," said Assemblyman David DiPietro, R-East Aurora. "I know people that were arrested by boat from their home because the flooding was so severe, the only way they could get to them, to their house, was by canoe or by boat."
Five state legislators whose districts were affected by the severe weather are calling on the state for help.
"We decided to put a letter together and to request the governor for some emergency funding to help people cover those costs because of those extreme weather situations," said Assemblyman Mickey Kearns, D-Buffalo.
The total cost of all the damage still isn't clear.
"We've talked to a number of the players the supervisors and they're tallying it up," DiPietro said. "We don't have a dollar amount yet."
However, a disaster declaration would allow the state to release emergency funds. Lawmakers believe they could need millions.
"There is emergency funding in the budget. There's always been a pot of money set aside for emergency situations like this," DiPietro said.
They said the funds should go to homeowners, businesses and local governments that might not have the money in their budget for the cleanup.
"There's downed trees," DiPietro said. "There's getting rid of the debris. That's a big thing. Some of the municipalities can't handle all of that. It's an extra burden."
Kearns is confident the governor will grant their request after seeing the damage firsthand last week.
"You could see he knew this was a very dire situation and we definitely deserve it and hopefully we'll be able to receive this quickly, the emergency aid that we're requesting," he said.
The message Friday was the sooner the better as Western New Yorkers continue recovering from the storm.