Governor Hochul Announces $50,000 Flood Relief Grants for Highland Falls Homeowners

On July 18, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul traveled to Highland Falls, New York to announce up to $50,000 in state grants for homeowners whose primary residences were damaged in the catastrophic flash flooding that struck Orange County on July 9, 2023. The announcement took place in one of the hardest-hit communities in the Hudson Valley, where roughly 8 inches of rain fell in just a few hours, triggering dangerous flash floods along Mountain Avenue and throughout the small village of about 4,000 residents near the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Grant Program Overview

The emergency grants draw from a $3 million state assistance pool earmarked for homeowners in the Hudson Valley, North Country, and Finger Lakes regions impacted by the July 2023 flooding. Individual eligible homeowners can receive up to $50,000 for critical repairs needed to restore their homes to habitable condition.

Governor Hochul framed the program as filling a critical gap left by federal disaster response. While federal funding typically supports municipal infrastructure recovery, Hochul emphasized the state's responsibility to individual homeowners: "That is for municipalities...but what about the homeowners? Who's taking care of them?"

Eligibility Requirements

• The damaged property must be the applicant's primary residence
• Household income must be at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI)
• The home must have sustained damage during the July 2023 flooding
• Repairs must be for critical, habitability-related work

How to Apply

The program is administered by the Rural Development Advisory Corporation (RUPCO), the Orange County-based nonprofit housing agency designated by the state to oversee distribution of the emergency funds. Homeowners can apply online at rupco.org or by phone at 845-713-4568 ext. 114.

Background: The July 9, 2023 Flood

On Sunday, July 9, 2023, a series of intense rainstorms dropped approximately 8 inches of rain on Highland Falls and surrounding portions of Orange County within a matter of hours. The resulting flash floods destroyed homes, washed out roads, and claimed at least one life in the region. Highland Falls — a small village adjacent to West Point in eastern Orange County — was among the hardest-hit communities, with entire streets damaged and many homeowners left without habitable housing.

In the days following the storm, Hochul initially pledged $3 million in emergency assistance for homeowners across the three affected regions. The July 18 Highland Falls announcement formalized how that money would flow to residents: direct grants of up to $50,000 per household, administered locally through RUPCO.