Tornado, Blizzard Spark Bipartisan Weather Relief Plan in Upstate New York

State Sen. Joseph Griffo (R-C-Rome) and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-Marcy) have introduced new legislation aimed at helping Central New York and Mohawk Valley communities recover from recent extreme weather and prepare for future events. The legislation, S.7761/A.8780, was unveiled at a news conference alongside Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. and Rome Mayor Jeff Lanigan.

The bill comes in response to a series of destructive weather events that have hit the region over the past year. On July 16, 2024, a high-end EF2 tornado caused significant damage in the City of Rome and Canastota. From early January to late February 2025, the area endured sustained extreme winter weather, including heavy snow, blizzard conditions, and high winds, which led to ice dams, roof collapses, and structural damage.

The proposed legislation would establish the Central New York Extreme Weather Relief and Resiliency Grant Program, offering financial assistance to small businesses, farms, owners of multiple dwellings, homeowners associations, and nonprofits that suffered direct physical damage from recent weather events.

It would also expand the state’s existing Resilient and Ready Storm Damage Recovery and Resilient Retrofit programs to provide additional emergency home repair assistance and reimbursement for homeowners. Additionally, the bill would create the Central New York Property/Casualty Insurance Resiliency Incentive Program, encouraging insurance providers to offer discounts or free mitigation services to policyholders who implement protective measures against weather damage.

“The Central New York and Mohawk Valley regions have struggled with severe weather over the past several years,” said Sen. Griffo. “My bill would ensure local governments, communities and citizens have the tools, resources and support they need to prepare for and recover from extreme weather events.”

Assemblywoman Buttenschon echoed that urgency, pointing to the devastation experienced by residents and businesses. “Our businesses and residents throughout the region have faced unimaginable hardship in the wake of recent extreme weather: homes damaged, businesses disrupted, families displaced,” she said. “This bill is about helping our families rebuild not just their homes, but their peace of mind.”

Local leaders expressed their strong support for the bill. “Senator Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon’s legislation is a vital step in helping our residents, businesses and local governments recover from these events and build greater resilience for the future,” said Oneida County Executive Picente.

Rome Mayor Lanigan added, “Rome is still recovering from the tornado that tore through our community last summer, and we know future challenges are inevitable. This legislation offers meaningful relief for families, businesses, and neighborhoods—and more importantly, it positions us to be stronger, safer, and more resilient in the face of future storms.”

In addition to introducing this bill, Griffo and Buttenschon previously joined other lawmakers in urging the governor to increase funding for the Extreme Winter Recovery Program, designate affected communities as eligible for this assistance, provide additional state agency resources to address public safety hazards, and increase Department of Financial Services support to help expedite insurance claims and provide further financial relief.

In a letter sent to the governor earlier this year, they emphasized the critical need for support: “New Yorkers need to know that when disaster hits, New York will deliver the needed resources that will help them rebuild, recover and overcome.”