Neighbors on Weyant-Terrace in Highland-Falls tell me they are relieved to hear about 2Governor Kathy Hochul's new $3 million 3state fund to immediately help repair 4storm-damaged homes in Orange County. Gayle Margolin plans to apply for some of it. 5Homeowners can receive as much as $50,000 for repairs. Margolin has some idea of how she'd use it. 

¡°This is all like 6sewage contamination. My husband lost all his 7band equipment.¡± 

Without the state's lifeline, Margolin and her neighbors may have to wait weeks, maybe months to learn if they're 8eligible for aid through the 9Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA). Margolin is finding pieces of her property all around the neighborhood. 

¡°It's 30-feet-long wooden bridge, and now it's here. We just found it yesterday.¡±

Governor Hochul and some local elected officials returned to 10Sacred Heart of Jesus Covenant School Tuesday to 11announce the repair program. FEMA(Federal Emergency Management Agency)'s already been 12assessing damage to local 13infrastructure like roads and pipes. Those repairs are already 14underway, and the governor expects those costs to be 15reimbursed by FEMA. 

¡°What about the homeowners? Who's taking care of them? And I doubt that most people have enough money in their bank account to cover 16unanticipated damage.¡±

State Emergency Management 17officials say they and 18reps from FEMA just started assessing damage to private homes. And after that, some homeowners may find they don't 19qualify for 20federal aid. Hochul says that's why this new state fund is so necessary.