KINGSTON – FEMA has revised its policies
to make sinkholes eligible for FEMA Hazard Mitigation funding, which provides
money to municipalities for disaster mitigation expenses.
A massive sinkhole developed on Washington Avenue in Kingston after Hurricane
Irene. It has been estimated the repairs will cost some $7 million; the
city received over $1 million already from Washington but Senator Charles
Schumer pushed to have FEMA include sinkholes in hazardous mitigation
money.
Mayor Shayne Gallo will apply for the new funding as soon as possible.
“I look forward to receiving some notification further from FEMA
and his office as to what the eligibility criteria is in terms of proceeding
accordingly to file for the necessary funding,” the mayor said.
So far, Kingston received some $1.2 million from Washington.
A portion of Washington Avenue in Kingston has been closed for the last
three years since the sinkhole emerged.
