Long Island, New York — Governor Kathy Hochul is asking the federal government to help pay for repairs to beach and dune projects along Long Island's south shore and in New York City, after a late-September nor'easter chewed away sand and flooded the coast.

WHAT IS HAPPENING:

Governor Hochul directed the state Department of Environmental Conservation to file a request for federal help to restore coastal storm protection projects damaged by the nor'easter of September 25 through 28. The storm stripped sand from beaches, wore down dunes, and pushed coastal flooding into Long Island's south shore communities and parts of New York City. State environmental crews worked with New York City, Suffolk County, the City of Long Beach, the towns of Hempstead, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Southampton and East Hampton, and the state parks office to survey the damage. On October 5, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told local sponsors the storm qualifies for consideration under its program that helps rebuild damaged coastal projects.

LOCAL IMPACTS:

The request covers four coastal projects, asking that they be restored to the shape they were built to hold: the stretch from East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet at Rockaway Beach; Jones Inlet to East Rockaway Inlet at Long Beach; Fire Island to Montauk Point; and Fire Island Inlet and the shores to its west. Separately, Governor Hochul has asked President Trump for a major disaster declaration, which would open federal recovery money, mostly through FEMA's Public Assistance program, for Nassau and Suffolk counties to clear debris, take protective measures, and repair public buildings and roads.

WHAT TO DO:

Stay off damaged dunes and eroded beach areas while repairs are planned, since the sand that protects those neighborhoods is thinned. Report storm damage to your town or county office so it is counted in the recovery effort. Keep clear of any weakened boardwalks, fences or beach access points until local crews mark them safe.

Source: LongIsland.com, November 5, 2026. Reported by TNW News.