ROSCOE AND CALLICOON CENTER  — Marc Molinaro, U.S. House Rep. (NY-19), visited Roscoe and Callicoon Center on Monday afternoon to assess damage from the tornado and meet affected residents.

Molinaro first stopped at the courthouse in Roscoe, where he met Sullivan County Legislators, Roscoe residents and members of the Town of Rockland Board to discuss next steps for acquiring aid and beginning the process of rebuilding following the storm that left many with damage to homes and vehicles.

The state-wide damage threshold for FEMA aid is $33 million. Though that number seems unattainable, anyone affected by the tornado is encouraged to take photos of any damage, keep receipts of estimates and proof of insurance claims.

When discussing the aid for the community, Molinaro said, “It doesn’t happen overnight. It is a process and we will be seeing what the state can do to step in.”

Alongside Molinaro’s efforts, the Sullivan County Legislature is expected to hold a public hearing in an upcoming meeting to discuss next steps.

“Nobody expected a tornado in Sullivan County in April,” Sullivan County Legislator Mike Brooks said.

“Our town hasn’t been affected by a weather event like this in several years,” Town of Rockland Councilperson Chrissy Routledge said. “Luckily there was no loss of life, but several residents sustained damage to their homes. As is the norm for our community, neighbors came together to help each other in this time of need.”

Routledge continued, “We thank our local first responders for their assistance during the storm and our utility companies for restoring power as quickly as possible. We also thank our representatives for their guidance as we ensure we can assist those affected in any way we can.”

After the informal meeting, Molinaro walked to the back of the courthouse to see some of the damage to the building before continuing on to Callicoon Center to assess the aftermath on Hahn road and beyond.

In a news release, Molinaro said, “Last night, I toured communities impacted by this weekend’s tornado in Sullivan County to assess the damage and offer my support in the recovery effort. I am working alongside local officials to ensure those affected get the support they need. If you need assistance related to these storms, please reach out immediately, we are standing by and ready to help.”

The Congressman also gave a number a resources that residents could reach out to in this time of need including the New York State Department of Financial Services at (800) 339-1759 for questions related to banking, mortgages, and insurance, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Regional Office at (607) 865-4005 for farmers who were impacted to report damage.

For further information, Molinaro’s office can be reached at (518) 625-2100.