Griffo and Buttenschon introduce legislation to help those impacted by recent and future severe weather events

New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome, and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-Marcy, announced today that they have introduced legislation that would assist Central New York and Mohawk Valley communities hit hard by extreme weather events in 2024 and early 2025 and ensure that municipalities are prepared for severe weather that may strike in the future.

The two legislators were joined by Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. and Rome Mayor Jeff Lanigan for the announcement.

On July 16, 2024, a high-end EF2 tornado struck Rome, causing significant damage across the city, as well as in Canastota. From approximately January 6 through February 25, 2025, extreme winter weather ranging from high winds to non-stop snow with blizzard like conditions tore through Central New York and the Mohawk Valley causing roof collapses, ice dams and damage to structures.

Sen. Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon’s bill (S.7761/A.8780), which is in committee, would:

• Establish the Central New York Extreme Weather Relief and Resiliency Grant Program that would provide grants for small businesses, farms, owners of multiple dwellings, homeowners associations and not-for-profit organizations that sustained direct physical damage under one of the covered extreme weather events which they can apply for to cover repairs.
• Expand and strengthen the state’s Resilient and Ready Storm Damage Recovery and Resilient Retrofit programs to offer additional emergency home repair assistance and/or reimbursement to impacted homeowners recent extreme weather events in the region and those that may occur in the future.
• Create the Central New York property/casualty insurance resiliency incentive program to facilitate property/casualty insurance discounts for mitigation efforts. As a result of this program, property/casualty insurers in New York would be encouraged to offer loss mitigation tools and services to policyholders for free or reduced cost.

“The Central New York and Mohawk Valley regions have struggled with severe weather over the past several years,” said Sen. Griffo. “My bill would ensure local governments, communities and citizens have the tools, resources and support they need to prepare for and recover from extreme weather events.”

“The City of Rome was devastated by a tornado last summer, and this winter brought significant snow and ice damage throughout the Mohawk Valley,” said Assemblywoman Buttenschon. “Our businesses and residents throughout the region have faced unimaginable hardship in the wake of recent extreme weather: homes damaged, businesses disrupted, families displaced. I’ve walked these streets, spoken with those affected, and felt their heartbreak firsthand. That’s why I’ve introduced Bill A.8780 in the Assembly, because our communities deserve more than thoughts and prayers; they deserve action, support, and hope. This bill is about helping our families rebuild not just their homes, but their peace of mind. When disaster strikes, New Yorkers take care of one another, and that’s exactly what this legislation aims to do.”

“As we saw last summer in Rome, extreme weather has become an all-too-frequent and devastating challenge for our communities here in Oneida County and across the Mohawk Valley,” said Oneida County Executive Picente. “Senator Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon's legislation is a vital step in helping our residents, businesses and local governments recover from these events and build greater resilience for the future. I commend Senator Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon for their leadership and their continued commitment to ensuring that our communities have the support and resources they need to weather any storm.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Senator Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon for taking bold and timely action to support our region in the aftermath of devastating weather events,” said Rome Mayor Lanigan. “Rome is still recovering from the tornado that tore through our community last summer, and we know future challenges are inevitable. This legislation offers meaningful relief for families, businesses, and neighborhoods—and more importantly, it positions us to be stronger, safer, and more resilient in the face of future storms.”

As part of their ongoing efforts to help residents in the region affected by extreme weather, Sen. Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon joined earlier this year with other area state lawmakers to urge the governor to consider:

• Increasing the allocation for the Extreme Winter Recovery program and designating the communities affected by this substantial weather event as eligible for this additional funding to help repair damaged highways and bridges.
• The further sharing and providing of additional services and equipment from state agencies due to the excessive amount of snow and ice that has created significant public safety hazards for pedestrians and motorists.
• Increasing the availability of the Department of Financial Services to assist residents with expediting insurance claims and expanding access to additional financial support from the state similar to what was done following devastating flooding in the region.

“We are hopeful that you will consider taking the necessary action to help alleviate the burden felt by so many during this most recent significant weather event,” the legislators wrote in a letter to the governor after intense snow this past winter caused buildings to collapse and created other public safety and infrastructure issues. “New Yorkers need to know that when disaster hits, New York will deliver the needed resources that will help them rebuild, recover and overcome.”

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