NEW YORK — Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a conference call Wednesday, New York State spent $100 million repairing damage from the 2017 Lake Ontario flood.
Based on the high water levels reported so far in 2019, Gov. Cuomo believes it's likely we could see damage of that magnitude again this year.
State officials say, unfortunately, this is the new norm. That's why on Wednesday, the governor announced the state is launching a Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Commission.
In the coming weeks, representatives with the state will start meeting with communities impacted by flooding. The goal is to determine what needs to be done to strengthen the infrastructure in those areas, and eventually rebuild and redesign waterfronts.
Cuomo says the state would need to pass legislation to fund these projects.
The commission will be co-chaired by the Empire State Development President and the Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner.