U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have urged President Barack Obama to swiftly approve New York state’s request for federal support in light of May's severe flooding in communities across upstate New York.

Specifically, Schumer and Gillibrand are requesting swift approval of a Major Disaster Declaration for the eleven impacted counties which includes Delaware and Otsego counties. Back-to-back severe storms last month caused significant flooding, forcing residents to evacuate their homes, destroyed personal property, and damaged critical infrastructure such as roads, culverts, and power lines.

The cost of damage currently totals approximately $28.2 million.

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