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Children Vulnerable To Disaster-Related Stress

TRENTON, N.J. — Hurricane Sandy left behind more than physical destruction. As people in New Jersey begin to rebuild, every affected family has faced a disruption of their normal lives. Many must also confront the anguish of losing a home.

Children are particularly vulnerable to the stress that follows a natural disaster, and their symptoms may linger much longer than in adults, according to mental health experts. They also react to how adults behave in stressful situations, so it’s important for parents and caregivers to look after their own mental health in the wake of a disaster.

Parents and other caregivers should be alert to signs of stress-related troubles and learn how to deal with their children’s fears and unusual behaviors.

Children ages 5 or younger may cry more frequently than usual, become clingy, have nightmares, show excessive fear of the dark, fear of animals or fear of being alone. Appetites may change. They may speak with difficulty or revert to behaviors such as bed-wetting or thumb-sucking.

Children ages 5 to 11 may exhibit increased irritability, aggression, and competition with their siblings for parental attention. Some become preoccupied with the disaster and want to talk about it continually. They may also show anxiety through whining, withdrawing from their peers, and losing interest in normal activities.

Teenagers 11 to 18 may show outright rebellion, physical problems, and sleep disturbances. They may engage in risk-taking behaviors such as reckless driving or alcohol and drug abuse.

Those signs of anxiety often result from the losses, disruption to family life, and a sense of a hostile world created by a natural disaster. The following suggestions may help to reduce stress in children:

Spend time each day giving each child undivided attention, even if just for a few minutes. Share experiences. Reaffirm your love. Make plans together. Just “be there” for each other.
Encourage them to talk. Ask children to describe what they are feeling. Let them talk about the disaster and ask as many questions as they like. Listen to what they say. Assure them that the disaster was an act of nature and not caused by them. Include the entire family in the discussion, if possible.
Understand their fears. It is important that parents accept anxieties as being very real to children. Help them understand what causes their anxieties and fears. Recognize their losses, such as their pets, favorite toys and other personal items. Reassure them that everything will be all right.
Explain what is going on. Make every effort to keep children informed about what is happening. Explanations should be in simple language. With children 5 or older, rehearse safety measures for use in case of future disasters.
Reassure them. Parents can help reassure children by telling them they are safe, holding and hugging them frequently, restoring normal routines, providing play experiences for them, and making bedtime a special moment of calm and comfort.
Encourage activities with their peers. As with adults, social time with friends is a very important part of the recovery process.
Temporarily lower expectations of them. Allow for the fact that stress from the disastercan show itself in many ways over a period of time, and make appropriate allowances.

The New Jersey Department of Human Services is coordinating statewide efforts to help individuals and communities manage the emotional impact of the storm. Crisis counselors are currently providing support in many shelters and assisting in FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers as needed.

In addition to providing face-to-face disaster crisis counseling, the state provides informational materials about coping and they partner with the Mental Health Association in New Jersey to offer assistance through a toll free helpline: 877-294-4357 (also apples to VRS or 711-Relay users)or TTY 877-294-4356. Or visit their website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhs/disaster/.

Parents, guardians and caregivers may also want to contact their local mental health agency for information on resources in their community that can assist children after disasters.

For more information call 877-652-7624, 24 hours a day, seven days a week; or visit the website www.performcarenj.org.

PHOTOS: See following links.

http://www.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=60773

http://www.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=60020

THESE 2 PHOTOS ARE FROM 2007 NEW JERSEY DISASTER:

http://www.fema.gov/photodata/original/29748.jpg

http://www.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=29744

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema,

Land www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Children Vulnerable To Disaster-Related Stress

27 New York Disaster Recovery Centers Still Open To Serve Hurricane Survivors

NEW YORK – Five weeks after Hurricane Sandy howled into meteorological history, the State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency continue at full pace to assist survivors of the devastating storm.

Twenty-seven New York Disaster Recovery Centers remain in place to provide one-on-one, face-to-face help to people rebuilding their homes and lives following the hurricane. Most are open seven days a week.

Recovery centers throughout New York have cumulatively hosted more than 83,000 Sandy survivors since Nov. 1, when storm winds had barely stopped blowing. To most conveniently serve the public, centers have been positioned in various neighborhoods, boroughs and counties. They have operated in locations ranging from churches to parks, government buildings, stores and a library.

County by county and borough by borough, current New York locations and hours of operation are:

Nassau
Recreation and Ice Arena
700 Magnolia Blvd.
Long Beach, NY 11561
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Sacred Heart Parish
RR station parking lot
127 Long Beach Rd.
Island Park, NY 11558
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sun

Mitchell Field Athletic Center
1 Charles Lindbergh Blvd.
Uniondale, NY 11553
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sun

Cedar Creek Park
Merrick Rd. East
Seaford, NY 11783
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sun

Marjorie Post Community Center
477 Unqua Rd.
Massapequa, NY 11758
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sun

Freeport Recreation Center
130 E. Merrick Rd.
Freeport, NY 11520
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Young Israel
859 Peninsula Blvd.
Woodmere, NY 11598
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun-Thurs
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fri
Closed Sat

Queens
Fort Tilden Park
415 State Rd.
Breezy Point, NY 11697
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mon-Sun

Community Church of the Nazarene
1414 Central Ave.
Far Rockaway, NY 11691
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

American Legion
209 Cross Bay Blvd.
Broad Channel, NY 11693
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Storefront
1001 Beach 20th St.
Far Rockaway, NY 11691
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Sun

Arverne by the Sea
68-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
Arverne, NY 11692
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Sun

Richmond
Miller Field
600 New Dorp Lane
Staten Island, NY 10306
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Borough Hall
10 Richmond Terrace
Staten Island, NY 10301
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Kia in Staten Island
1976 Hylan Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10306
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Suffolk
Town Hall West
401 Main St.
Islip, NY 11751
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sun

Mastic Recreation Community Center
15 Herkimer St.
Mastic, NY 11950
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Lindenhurst Library
1 Lee Ave.
Lindenhurst, NY 11757
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon-Sun

Kings
Holy Family R.C. Church
9719 Flatlands Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11236
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Coffey Park
85 Richards St.
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Gerritsen Beach Little League Field
2901 Gerritsen Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11229
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Social Security Building
Gravesend
10 Bouck Court
Brooklyn, NY 11223
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sun

Jewish Community Center
YM-YWHA
3300 Coney Island Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Sun

Ikea
1 Beard St.
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. through Sun., Dec. 9

Westchester
Westchester County Center
198 Central Ave.
White Plains, NY 10606
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Sat

Rockland
River View Park
Beach Road (Rte. 110) and E. Main St. (Rte. 108)
Stony Point, NY 10980
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sun, Dec. 9

More New York centers may open as sites are identified and approved.

While visiting a Disaster Recovery Center is a convenient way to seek help from FEMA, it isn’t the only way.

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

Link:

27 New York Disaster Recovery Centers Still Open To Serve Hurricane Survivors

FEMA Awards more than $254 million to Rebuild New York

New Public Assistance grants to NYPD, NYU Medical Center and NYC Sanitation

NEW YORK – This week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced three new Public Assistance (PA) grants to New York, bringing the total awarded since Hurricane Sandy to $254 million. PA grants will be used to reimburse the New York Police Department, New York University Langone Medical Center and the City of New York Department of Sanitation for part of the cost incurred saving lives, protecting property and cleaning up New York before, during and after the hurricane.

“I salute the workers of NYPD, NYU Medical Center, and the Sanitation Department for their tireless efforts to protect New Yorkers,” said Michael F. Byrne, FEMA federal coordinating officer. “They are vitally important to the health and safety of the city and their work is paving the road to recovery.”

Today, FEMA announced a $26.3 million PA grant to reimburse the Department of Sanitation which mobilized its entire workforce to remove debris left behind by the storm. Hurricane Sandy’s storm surge inundated residential areas; high winds and heavy rains brought down trees, tree limbs and power lines throughout the city, blocking roads and creating hazardous conditions. From Oct. 30 through Nov. 10, sanitation crews removed an estimated 1.3 million cubic yards of debris.

Yesterday, FEMA announced two PA grants:

$114 million awarded to the NYU Medical Center to reimburse the cost of evacuating patients, performing emergency repairs and to help pay for crews who cleaned, sanitized and inspected facilities.
$75 million will go to the NYPD to help pay for uniformed and civilian personnel who patrolled streets, distributed food and water to hurricane survivors and assisted residents in obtaining emergency medical care.
The FEMA PA program reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations 75 percent of costs for disaster-related expenses associated with emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure.

In order to qualify, damage must be a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.

FEMA has awarded more than $215 million in Public Assistance funds in the past two days; this is in addition to $39 million previously awarded to Long Beach and Nassau County. In total, FEMA has approved more than $254 million in PA funds since the Nov. 1 disaster declaration for Hurricane Sandy.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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FEMA Awards more than $254 million to Rebuild New York

Survivors Must Contact FEMA to Keep Temporary Housing Assistance

New York – Hurricane Sandy survivors, who received temporary housing assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and continue to have a housing need, must fill out an important form for additional short-term rental assistance.

FEMA mails all applicants who receive rental assistance the “Declaration for Continuing Need for Rental Assistance” form. It reaffirms that applicants have an ongoing need for temporary housing while they search for a permanent place to live.

This form is mailed 15 days after applicants receive their initial rental assistance grant.
Applicants who need additional rental assistance must complete the form and mail it back to FEMA at the address printed on the form.
If you don’t have the form, contact FEMA’s toll-free helpline 800-621-FEMA (3362).

Returning to a permanent home is a significant milestone on the road to recovery. FEMA rental assistance may last for up to 18 months from the date of declaration. So it’s important for survivors to have a permanent housing plan.

Survivors with questions about temporary housing assistance should contact FEMA’s toll-free helpline 800-621-FEMA (3362). Applicants who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day seven days a week until further notice.

Individuals may register for help online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085, http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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Survivors Must Contact FEMA to Keep Temporary Housing Assistance

Recovery Centers To Close In Western New Jersey Counties

TRENTON, N.J. — Nine Disaster Recovery Centers in the western area of New Jersey will be closing over the next week and a half.

State and federal officials have been paying close attention to how many applicants are visiting centers throughout the state. Over the past weeks, the number of individuals seeking help at DRCs in the western counties has dropped, indicating the information needs of survivors in the area have mostly been met.

Disaster specialists encourage applicants in western New Jersey to visit these centers while they are open. After these centers close, an applicant may go to any DRC, even if it is located in another county or state.

Final schedules are as follows:

Cumberland, Mercer and Morris DRCs are open this week through Saturday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., closing Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.

Burlington, Gloucester and Warren DRCs will be open Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 10-12 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., closing Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.

Salem, Somerset and Sussex DRCs will be open Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 13-15 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., closing Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.

DRCs allow residents to speak one-on-one with recovery representatives. FEMA program specialists are available to provide registration and other information, and to answer questions at the centers. These include mitigation specialists who can provide guidance on cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to reduce property damage in future disasters.

In addition to FEMA program specialists, customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to answer questions about the SBA low-interest disaster loan program, and to assist with disaster loan applications.

DRC locations may change. The nearest open offices can be found online at FEMA.gov/DRC.

It is not necessary to visit a center to receive disaster assistance.

Individuals can register for assistance and follow up on their applications online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or by web-enabled mobile device at m.FEMA.gov. By phone or 711/VRS, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Follow this link –

Recovery Centers To Close In Western New Jersey Counties

FEMA Helps Pay for Debris Removal, Emergency Work

WINDSOR, Conn. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program is helping Connecticut communities pay for disaster recovery. For Hurricane Sandy, a large percentage of those dollars will be for debris removal and emergency protective measures.

Disaster response and recovery can burden local jurisdictions, which encounter extra costs for contract labor or for employee overtime. Communities take emergency protective measures before, during and after a disaster to save lives, protect public health and safety, and eliminate immediate threats. After the disaster, debris must be removed to protect health and safety, and promote the economic recovery of the community.

Public Assistance grants reimburse eligible jurisdictions a minimum of 75 percent of the costs for eligible work.

Under the program, the state is the grantee, and state agencies, local and tribal governments, and eligible nonprofit organizations are the subgrantees. Applicants must submit a formal Request for Public Assistance to the state. After the request is submitted, FEMA and state program officials meet with each applicant individually to discuss damage, assess needs and develop a subgrant application.

FEMA grants the money to the state, which then distributes the funds to the applicants as documentation is received.

The deadline for applicants to submit a Request for Public Assistance is Dec. 30.

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FEMA Helps Pay for Debris Removal, Emergency Work

FEMA Assistance Denial Still Offers Option For Appeal

Trenton, N.J. — Survivors have the right to appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision about what assistance they can receive.

You may ask for another review to appeal the amount or type of help provided or any other decision about federal disaster assistance.

Before asking for an appeal, it is important to review the “Help After a Disaster” applicant’s guide. The booklet explains the different types of assistance that may be available to survivors and could answer some questions you have about the appeal process. Each applicant receives a copy and it is available online at www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster.

When appealing, explain in writing why you disagree with a decision. Include any new or additional documents that would support the appeal. Be as specific as possible in the letter. Include materials such as itemized receipts and contractor estimates.

When sending an appeal letter for Hurricane Sandy, remember to include:

On all pages of all documents:
- Federal disaster declaration number 4086-DR-NJ.
- Nine-digit FEMA application number.
Applicant’s name, place and date of birth, and the address of the damaged dwelling.
Copies of documentation that supports the appeal. All receipts, bills and estimates must include contact information for the service provider. Keep all originals for your records.
A copy of a state-issued identification card, unless the letter is notarized or includes the following statement: “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
The applicant’s signature.

Appeal letters must be postmarked within 60 days of the date on the decision letter.

Survivors may send the appeal letter to FEMA by:

Fax: (800) 827-8112 Attention:FEMA
Mail: National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). Find the nearest Disaster Recovery Center here.

If you would like to speak with a specialist who will listen and help you with the appeal process, you can visit a local Disaster Recovery Center or call the FEMA helpline.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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FEMA Assistance Denial Still Offers Option For Appeal

Disaster Stress And Older Adults

TRENTON, N.J. — Many survivors of Hurricane Sandy find themselves under additional stress these days. But disaster-related anxiety can be especially high in older adults, particularly those living on their own or isolated from friends and family.

Because of their age and other unique circumstances, older adults often react much differently than younger people to catastrophic events. It’s not uncommon after a disaster for them to become withdrawn, agitated, disoriented and confused.

Family members, friends, neighbors and caregivers should be aware of this and be ready to safeguard both their physical and mental health. Be on the lookout for the following symptoms of senior stress:

Fear of losing their independence because of disaster-related injury or loss of their residence. This can be the biggest trauma that older people face after a disaster.
Problems talking to people and answering questions. Difficulties in communicating after a disaster can be increased by factors such as slower thought processes related to age, problems with seeing and hearing, and reduced mobility.
“Welfare” stigma. Many older adults are cautious about or even unwilling to accept government help because they have always “paid their way.” Their reluctance to accept assistance can be compounded by a lack of knowledge about government services for which they may be eligible.
Memories or flashbacks of other events in their lives when they were traumatized or suffered severe losses.
Anxiety caused by poor reading skills and inadequate command of the English language.
Worry about limited financial resources and having enough time to rebuild their homes.
Fear of being put in an institution because they cannot return to a home that was destroyed by the disaster.
Withdrawal and isolation from family and friends.
In severe cases, seniors also may undergo personality changes in the wake of a disaster.

Because older people may be on medication for health conditions, it’s important to ensure they are medically stable before deciding that any of the above symptoms are due to emotional stress.

It’s also important to keep in mind that seniors have decades of experience and strengths gained from facing previous disasters and adversity.

Those who live or work with older adults who have been adversely affected by Hurricane Sandy can take a number of steps to monitor and improve their mental health:

Provide consistent verbal reassurance.
Assist them in recovering personal possessions.
Help them re-establish contact with their family, friends and social networks.
Help them find a suitable residential relocation until they can return to their own home, ideally in familiar surroundings with friends or acquaintances.
Make frequent home visits and arrange for others to visit them.
Ensure medical and financial assistance.
Provide transportation to the doctor, grocery store, etc.
Re-establish and monitor their nutritional and medication needs.

Older people or their family and friends seeking additional information about stress counseling and services should contact their local mental health agencies. The New Jersey Department of Human Services is coordinating statewide efforts to help individuals and communities manage the emotional impact of the storm. Crisis counselors are currently providing support and assisting in FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers as needed.

In addition to providing face-to-face disaster crisis counseling, the state provides informational materials about coping, and it has partnered with the Mental Health Association in New Jersey to offer assistance through a toll free helpline: 877-294-4357 (also applies for VRS or 711-Relay users) or TTY 877-294-4356. More information about disaster-related stress can be found at the website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhs/disaster/.

POSSIBLE PHOTOS: See following links

Red Cross provides assistance for Hurricane Sandy survivors (ID: 60611)

http://www.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=60611

Community Relations Specialists speak with Sandy Survivors (ID: 60564)

http://www.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=60564

FEMA Community Relations Specialists assist residents in New Jersey (ID: 60443)

http://www.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=60443

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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Disaster Stress And Older Adults

More Than Three Quarters of a Billion Dollars Approved for Hurricane Sandy Survivors in New York State

NEW YORK – Just over a month after Hurricane Sandy made landfall, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $754 million in disaster assistance for New York State survivors under the agency’s Individuals and Households program.

As of Dec. 7, more than $754 million in grants was approved through FEMA’s Individuals and Households program. Of that, more than $689 million was for housing assistance and more than $65 million to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as funeral expenses and lost personal possessions.

“In the impacted neighborhoods of New York, we concentrated our efforts to get money into the hands of survivors,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. “We targeted the hardest hit areas and were able to expedite initial assistance to people who needed it most.”

Grant money goes directly to survivors in the 13 New York counties designated for federal individual assistance, helping them rebuild their homes and lives. FEMA is focusing on the hardest hit areas of New York State which includes the following counties:

Bronx $1.9 million
Kings $161.6 million
Nassau $249.6 million
New York $10.9 million
Queens $193.1 million
Richmond $78 million
Suffolk $55.6 million

Those who have already registered for assistance should stay in close touch with FEMA throughout the recovery process. It is important that applicants keep FEMA updated with good contact information such as a current mailing address, cellphone or work number. The deadline for registration is Dec. 31, 2012.

Anyone with questions about correspondence from FEMA should visit one of the more than 30 disaster recovery centers open in New York or call the FEMA helpline 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day seven days a week until further notice.

To locate the nearest disaster recovery center, simply text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address of the nearest center. Also, check out the disaster recovery center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or call the FEMA Helpline.

FEMA provides the following snapshot of the disaster-recovery effort as of Dec. 7th:

More than 248,000 New Yorkers have contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance with FEMA and more than $754 million has been approved. More than 125,000 people have applied through the online application site at www.disasterassistance.gov, or on their smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.
33 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open in the affected areas. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites, and to date more than 81,000 survivors have been assisted at DRCs in New York.
172 inspectors are in the field, and more than 155,000 home inspections have been completed.
745 Community Relations (CR) specialists are strategically positioned throughout the affected communities, going door-to-door explaining the types of disaster assistance available and how to register.
7 Points of Distribution (PODs) are open and providing supplies to the affected residents.
3 Prescription Medication Task Force Teams (PMTFT) and 1 National Veterinary Response Team (NVRT) from the Department of Health and Human Services remain deployed in New York.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has removed 263,498 cubic yards of debris from rights-of-way.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved nearly $102 million in disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses. The SBA has staff members at 19 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085,
http://twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog

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More Than Three Quarters of a Billion Dollars Approved for Hurricane Sandy Survivors in New York State

Changes Announced for Brooklyn Disaster Recovery Center

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors have until 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Brooklyn.

The DRC is at the Ikea store, 1 Beard St., Brooklyn, NY 11231. It opened on Nov. 7, and has provided information and assistance to more than 980 storm survivors.

The State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency closely monitor visitor traffic at all New York Disaster Recovery Centers. When traffic slows at a certain time, a center may change its hours or come under consideration for possible closure.

In addition to the Brooklyn site, those affected by Hurricane Sandy can visit any of about 30 other DRCs throughout New York. DRCs are one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors to get help as quickly as possible.

To find the center nearest you, the following options are available: Text DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA), and a text message will be sent back with the address. Also, check out the Disaster Recovery Center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Individuals can register for help online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4085, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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Changes Announced for Brooklyn Disaster Recovery Center

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