FEMA's own joint assessment teams validated $79.03 million in damage from the February blizzard, more than double New York's statewide threshold of $39.2 million. The state and local governments put total damage above $168 million. FEMA denied the major disaster declaration on July 2, and the state's July 31 appeal is still unanswered.

Source: Office of the Governor (2026-07-31)