Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced that President Joe Biden approved her request for a Major Disaster Declaration to provide federal assistance to communities impacted by severe weather on Aug. 18 and 19.

The declaration allows for federal financial assistance to support public infrastructure reconstruction efforts, including repairs to roads and bridges in Suffolk County.

Harbor Road in Stony Brook collapsed in the storms and remains closed because it is caved in.

As we reported, a temporary road was built in Head of the Harbor. The homes were left stranded after Mill Creek Road partially collapsed in a strong storm.

More than 10 inches of rain hit Suffolk’s north shore.

The storms also affected dozens of homeowners. While the state awaits the president's decision on direct support for homeowners, those affected by the August storms can apply for emergency repair grants from the state until Nov. 8.

No word yet on when the road repairs in the county will start, but according to the Brookhaven Highway Department, the work for Harbor Road could last a minimum of two years.

Over 10 feet of water filled the basement of the Smithtown Library after the storm. Library director Robert Lusak says the cleanup is still underway and that the $22 million in assistance they requested will help.

“We've been waiting for this great news for weeks,” he said. "The damage was catastrophic. The funding that we receive is going to then allow us to open up our main level to the public while we then rebuild the lower level."

Homeowners are still waiting on some help.

Christian Berio, from St. James, got 4 feet of water in his basement and the flooding totaled two cars.

He says he has almost $100,000 in damages and no immediate ways to get some help.

"It's hard to feel like a priority when you just get pushed around from one person to the next,” he said. "Whether it's FEMA or LIHP or Gov. Hochul's Office or any of the above, they need to put a little more manpower to the citizens in each community."