State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, and Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, D-Utica, have asked Gov. Andrew Cuomo to request a federal disaster area designation for Oneida County after this morning's flooding.
The local officials made the request based on the number of homeowners and businesses who "sustained significant and perhaps permanent damage due to the storm," a news release stated. They are also asking the state Emergency Management Office to make assessing local damage a priorty.
Brindisi also has requested a federal disaster declaration for Herkimer County, the release stated.
Sen. Charles Schumer, meanwhile, issued a statement pledging to fight for federal support throughout the region.
In Fort Plain, where flood waters stood several feet deep, state police the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies were planning a noon briefing on the status of rescue efforts, water levels and resulting property damage.