Residents of Rome, New York, unite for recovery efforts following the recent tornado devastation.
In response to the EF2 tornado that devastated Rome, New York, in July 2024, state lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 7761. The comprehensive disaster resilience legislation aims to provide immediate aid and long-term support to those affected, with initiatives focusing on financial assistance, urgent repairs, and insurance resilience. Governor Hochul’s declaration of a state of emergency underscores the necessity of robust recovery measures as the community begins to rebuild.
In response to the devastating EF2 tornado that struck Rome, New York, in July 2024, state lawmakers are pushing forward with Senate Bill 7761. Introduced by Senator Joseph Griffo on May 5, 2025, this comprehensive legislation aims to enhance disaster resilience and mitigate the impacts of climate change in Central New York.
The bill proposes a three-part initiative designed to provide immediate aid and long-term support to local residents, businesses, municipalities, and insurers affected by the tornado, which caused significant destruction, including the total loss of four buildings and structural damage to 22 others.
Part A of the initiative introduces the “Central New York Extreme Weather Relief and Resiliency Grant Program,” which allocates up to $75 million in funding through state-administered grants. This program aims to help cover storm-related costs not addressed by insurance or other recovery programs. In addition, there is a dedicated $10 million fund for municipalities impacted by qualifying severe weather events between January 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. Funds can be used both for recovery efforts and climate resilience improvements.
The Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) will oversee the grant program, prioritizing applications from those in greatest need, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
Part B expands the existing “Resilient and Ready Program” through the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, focusing on helping homeowners with urgent repairs and upgrades for climate resilience. This includes the Rapid Response Home Repair Grants that offer up to $25,000 per household for necessary repairs within 30 days of a disaster. Additionally, the Resilient Retrofits Program aims to assist low and moderate-income households in adopting long-term mitigation features.
Homeowners who participate in these upgrade programs may also benefit from reduced insurance premiums, providing further incentive for individuals to bolster their properties against future weather events.
Part C establishes the “Central New York Property/Casualty Insurance Resiliency Incentive Program.” This initiative encourages insurers to provide policyholders with loss mitigation tools at reduced costs. Insurers will be required to file justified discounts with the Department of Financial Services (DFS), which may implement additional regulations to standardize these incentives across the board.
The proposed legislation is designed to take effect retroactively from January 1, 2024, covering weather events that have already impacted the region, further highlighting New York’s commitment to aligning disaster response, infrastructure investment, and insurance policy incentives in light of the increasing frequency of severe weather patterns attributed to climate change.
Following the tornado, which left no fatalities—a fact many deemed miraculous given the storm’s intensity—Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York. She witnessed firsthand the extensive damage during her visit to Rome and emphasized the need for immediate action and support for those affected.
Despite the challenges, the community has shown resilience, with many residents already initiating recovery efforts and reaching out to their insurance companies for assistance. Local businesses and residents are determined to rebuild and support each other through these trying times.
The National Guard has been deployed in Rome to assist with storm response efforts, while local officials continue to stress the importance of utilizing available resources, such as calling 211 for access to crucial support services. With ongoing severe weather risks still prevalent in the region, officials are aware of the impact this may have on cleanup and future recovery plans.
As Senate Bill 7761 moves through the legislative process, it reflects a proactive approach by New York lawmakers to safeguard against the increasingly unpredictable nature of climate-related disasters and support the Central New York community in its road to recovery.
New York Lawmakers Respond to EF2 Tornado Devastation
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