President Joe Biden has approved Gov. Kathy Hochul's request for a major disaster declaration to aid with flooding recovery after severe storms impacted parts of New York state earlier this month. The governor made the federal request last Friday in an effort to aid cleanup efforts in several areas, including the Finger Lakes, Central New York, Capital Region and Hudson Valley.

Federal funding was approved for the repair or replacement of facilities damaged in Clinton, Dutchess, Essex, Hamilton, Ontario, Orange, Putnam and Rockland counties, according to the White House.

Hochul tweeted Saturday that over $100 million in damage had been estimated from the severe rain and flooding.

"After devastating floods caused extreme damage across Upstate New York this month, I'm thankful President Biden has approved my request for a Major Disaster Declaration," Hochul said in a statement. "My administration will work directly with FEMA in the coming weeks to ensure our local government partners receive the critical funding they need to begin the recovery and rebuilding process." 

According to officials, the state has also engaged with the U.S. Small Business Administration to pursue low-interest recovery loans for impacted businesses.

The declaration secures financial assistance from the federal government, mostly through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. This aims to assist with repairs to buildings and infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools and parks, as well as aid in debris removal and protective measures.

The White House says federal funding was also made available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures across the state.

The governor’s office says further assistance to residents and additional counties is under a federal review.

"The historic rainfall that battered communities in the Hudson Valley, and across Upstate New York from the Finger Lakes to the North Country earlier this month resulted in a once in a generation flooding event causing millions in widespread damage, and millions of dollars in expected repairs," U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. "I fought non-stop to elevate the voices of our impacted communities to the highest levels of government, personally writing to both the FEMA Administrator and President Biden, because I knew our state needed this funding, and this is a critical step on the long road to recovery from this devastating storm. I sincerely thank President Biden for heeding my calls to ensure communities across New York impacted by this historic flooding have the support they need to rebuild stronger than ever, and I will continue to fight to deliver all of the federal support needed to the Hudson Valley and Upstate New York."

Officials say more than eight inches of rain was reported in parts of the Mid-Hudson region and more than five inches of rain fell in Ontario County in the Finger Lakes region from July 9-10. In parts of the North Country from July 10-11, several inches of rain in a short period of time led to intense flooding, closed roadways and damaged infrastructure. Amtrak service between Albany and New York City was temporarily shut down due to the flooding. 

In Orange County, rescue teams found the body of a woman in her 30s who drowned after being swept away while trying to evacuate her home. Gov. Hochul announced this week $3 million in state funds to assist homeowners dealing with flood damage in Orange County.