NORWICH – The fact that county officials don’t expect individuals and business owners to receive flood disaster relief funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for at least a year doesn’t sit well with at least one town supervisor.

“It’s critical to say to the powers that be that we need the money in this fiscal year,” Town of Smyrna Supervisor James B. Bays said Monday during July’s board meeting. “My town wasn’t hit hard at all compared to in the southern parts, but a year to 18 months is unacceptable for all who suffered damages.”

The Chenango County Emergency Management Office estimates a total of $7 million in damages to villages, towns, the City of Norwich and county infrastructure from the heavy flooding the region suffered two weeks ago. There were approximately $2 to $3 million in road and bridge repair damages alone, and the highway department expects to be two years behind in regular maintenance by the time the clean up is finished.

The City of Norwich estimates $1.2 million in infrastructure damages and 37 homes received moderate to major water damage. 

The amount of damages far exceeds what’s required for FEMA designation. “It’s seems incredible to me. If we’ve reached our criteria for designation, why can’t the federal government put money in our coffers right away?” Bays asked.