NEW YORK TRANSPORTATION SEEKS $65M FROM FEMA FOR IRENE DAMAGE

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has submitted insurance claims to the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) to recover $65m in losses from flood and wind damage as a result of hurricane Irene, which brought significant levels of rain to the Atlantic seaboard last August ( IIN 24, August 31 2011). FEMA has approved 59 project worksheets, costing some $27.7m, the MTA said. The authority has a $25m deductible with its insurers and the claim from FEMA is expected to cover most of this. The MTA said that insurers had already made a $5m advance payment. The MTA's Metro-North Railroad was the worst hit part of the NY system, with flooding on miles of track and some mudslides on the Hudson Line causing a claim for $27m. The NYC Transit's claim is $22m, consisting of $8m in costs preparing for the storm and $14m in lost revenue. MTA Bridges & Tunnels is claiming $9m, once again mainly for lost revenue. Long Island is claiming $5.7m for extra manpower and lost revenue.