Update: Pelham Files For 'Irene' Reimbursement

PELHAM, N.Y. - Mother Nature battered Pelham and Pelham Manor throughout the summer and late October. The area was hit by flash floods and then the powerful Hurricane Irene on August 27 and 28. County wide power outages and downed trees were a harsh result of Irene. A rare October 29 snowstorm smacked Pelham, which resulted in even more fallen trees and blackouts.

Village Administrator Robert Yamuder said how the October snowstorm took Pelham by surprise with it's intensity.

“The village is always as prepared as it could be," said Yamuder. "A storm like this always catches by surprise and that’s what we have."

However, Yamuder said that the town has applied to FEMA for reimbursement for Hurricane Irene. 

"We submitted all the preliminary paperwork," said Yamuder. "It takes a long time dealing with the federal government. We did file the necessary paperwork and try to get some money back to get reimbursed for the overtime, the equipment, the gas usage, the flares, and the tape we put up."

Both storms also caused problems with the Pelham budget.

"Right now, we’re a little over budget where we usually are because of the Halloween storm," said Yamuder. "It was unanticipated, but we don’t know until the end of the fiscal year in six months how well we did. But, right now we’re on track. 

When the next storm hits, Yamuder believes the town will be ready. 

“Generally, we’re all trained and we’re usually well-prepared," said Yamuder. "Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”

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