Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins condemned the Trump administration’s decision to deny New York’s request for a federal Major Disaster Declaration following a February blizzard that caused more than $168 million in damage statewide.
Jenkins said the denial could put additional financial pressure on communities that spent millions responding to the storm, including on snow removal, emergency protective measures, road and structural repairs and restoring electric service.
“Political games again by the Trump Administration,” Jenkins said in a statement released by the county. He argued that federal officials should support the first responders, public works crews and emergency management teams who worked through the storm.
Westchester County Department of Emergency Services Commissioner Susan Spear said the county and local municipalities documented their storm-related expenses and exceeded federal eligibility thresholds for FEMA assistance, according to the release.
“Our emergency personnel stepped up when called to respond to public safety needs during a major blizzard,” Spear said. “But now the federal government has refused to honor their commitment to our communities and our first responders.”
The dispute comes a day after Jenkins backed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s call for the federal government to release $87 million in counterterrorism funding that the state says is being withheld.
Jenkins also criticized Rep. Mike Lawler, saying New Yorkers should expect their elected officials to put constituent needs ahead of partisan disagreements.
The February storm caused widespread disruption across New York, with local governments bearing significant costs for cleanup, emergency response and infrastructure repairs.
