OCEAN BREEZE — Staten Island University Hospital North will get $12 million from FEMA for flood mitigation measures after the hospital was inundated with storm surges during Hurricane Sandy, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday.
The money, given through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, will be used to raise vital infrastructure in the hospital — including generators, water pumps and more — that will help protect it during future storms, a spokeswoman from governor's office of storm recovery said.
"The State is pleased to deliver much-needed funding for Staten Island University Hospital, providing a significant portion of the resources needed to improve resiliency and strengthen the facility in the face of the increased likelihood of extreme weather," Cuomo said in a statement.
"The hospital, like other communities in Staten Island, experienced serious damage as a result of Superstorm Sandy, and this funding represents the latest effort by the State to rebuild back stronger and better than before."
With the funds, the hospital plans to elevate its electrical and mechanical infrastructure around 18 feet to protect it from storm surges, a spokeswoman said.
During Hurricane Sandy, neighborhoods near Staten Island's shores were hit with between four and nine feet of water and the hospital suffered $3.2 million worth of damage, the spokeswoman said.
The year before, the hospital also had $3.1 million in damages from Hurricane Irene and has dealt with utility failures since 2008.
SIUH, the governor's office and Con Edison were currently working on the details and scope of the plan.
