New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
Subtitle A - Governor's Office
Chapter I - Executive Orders
Part 5 - Executive Orders (George E. Pataki)
Section 5.24 - Executive Order No. 24: Declaring a Disaster Emergency in the Counties of Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Greene, Herkimer, Montgomery, Ontario, Orange, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Shoharie, Schuyler, Steuben, Sullivan, Tioga, Ulster, Washington and Yates and Contiguous Areas. [*]

WHEREAS, beginning on January 19, 1996 a severe winter storm accompanied by heavy rains and high winds has caused flooding, and has resulted in personal hardship, damage to residential and commercial properties and the agricultural community, as well as disruption of vital public transportation and public safety systems and the destruction of flood protection structures in Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Greene, Herkimer, Montgomery, Ontario, Orange, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Steuben, Sullivan, Tioga, Ulster, Washington and Yates and contiguous areas; and

WHEREAS, this storm and flooding has resulted in at least ten fatalities and continues to threaten the public health and safety and cause damage to the public infrastructure;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE E. PATAKI, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby find that a disaster has occurred for which the affected local governments are unable to respond adequately. Therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the State of New York and section 28 of article 2-B of the Executive Law, I hereby declare a State Disaster Emergency effective January 19, 1996, within the territorial boundaries of Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Greene, Herkimer, Montgomery, Ontario, Orange, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Steuben, Sullivan, Tioga, Ulster, Washington and Yates and contiguous areas; and

FURTHER, pursuant to section 29 of article 2-B of the Executive Law, I direct the implementation of the State Disaster Preparedness Plan and authorize, effective January 19, 1996, the State Emergency Management Office and other State agencies as necessary, to take appropriate action to protect State property and to assist those affected local governments and individuals in responding to and recovering from this disaster, and to provide such other assistance as necessary to protect the public health and safety.

Signed: George E. Pataki

Dated: January 22, 1996