President Joe Biden has added New York to the list of major disaster areas affected by Hurricane Ida.
The move announced Monday frees up federal disaster funding to help areas affected by the storm, which swept across the Northeast from Sept. 1-3, dumping an average of 3.1 inchesof rain per hour and causing dozens of deaths.
Biden also declared New Jersey a disaster area. Ida reportedly caused at least 27 deaths there and four people are still missing.
The president is expected to tour Manville, N.J., and Queens on Tuesday to witness Ida’s damage and the various recovery efforts.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul estimated that Ida caused more than $50 million worth of damage to the state.
Biden’s move will allow aid to be freed up to the counties of Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond and Westchester, the White House said. Assessments are ongoing in other areas and counties as well.
