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Washington, D.C.- A bipartisan group of U.S. House members today wrote President Obama in support of Governor Cuomo's request for a major disaster declaration following severe flooding in 26 upstate New York counties. The flooding, which began on April 26, badly damaged homes and businesses.

Over $38 million in infrastructure damage and debris removal costs have been identified, providing additional burdens to cash-strapped local and state governments. The letter was authored signed by Reps. Maurice Hinchey (NY-22), Chris Gibson (NY-20), Richard Hanna (NY-24), Bill Owens (NY-23), Tom Reed (NY-29), Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25) and Louise Slaughter (NY-28).

"We can attest to the extensive damage impacting the homes, businesses, and local infrastructure in the flooded areas and the serious personal losses experienced by local residents," wrote the four House members. "Families have waited patiently for federal assistance for more than one month. Meanwhile, local governments are struggling to find funding to repair roads, culverts, bridges and other infrastructure damaged or destroyed. Without assistance from the federal government, many local leaders question how they will be able to make necessary repairs, the cost of which far exceeds local resources."

The requested declaration would provide vital federal assistance in helping local governments, businesses and individuals rebuild from the storms. The affected counties include Allegany, Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Washington, Warren, and Yates.