KINGSTON – FEMA has revised its policies
to make sinkholes eligible for 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 three years since the sinkhole emerged.
