By Associated Press - Thursday, May 22, 2014

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York has issued an emergency declaration for Yates and Ontario counties for recovery work following storms and flooding last week.

Under the declaration, the Department of Environmental Conservation’s regional office can issue permits or emergency authorizations for cleaning up debris and repairing structures damaged in the storms.

The department says landowners needing authorization should contact the office as soon as possible.

Commissioner Joe Martens says it should help start work quickly and minimize the storm’s impacts.

State law allows the DEC to issue general permits following natural disasters when many people need to do similar projects.

A state of emergency was declared last week in Yates County in the Finger Lakes region after flash flooding caused by heavy rains forced evacuations and closed roads.

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