FEMA Offers Guidance at Home Depot on Being Prepared for Future Disasters

NEW YORK — People whose property was damaged or destroyed in Hurricane Sandy and are ready to start rebuilding can get advice from experts. Specialists who are knowledgeable in all facets of cleanup and building safer and smarter to avoid future losses will be dispensing guidance free of charge, compliments of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA experts will staff tables at Home Depot stores in Nassau County at 1320 Corporate Drive, No. 1300, Westbury; in Suffolk County at 346 Middle Country Road, Coram, and in Kings County at 585 DeKalb Avenue, Brooklyn.

Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 28, through Tuesday, Dec. 3, hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. They’ll be closed Monday.

Advice and direction in flood cleanup, flood-insurance matters, and repair and rebuilding will be available to all, not just to customers who are registered with FEMA.

These mitigation experts will be able to talk about elevating electrical services and appliances; installing sewer back-flow valves; removing and replacing drywall and insulation; channeling water away from foundations; repairing with water-resistant materials. They can also give guidance in the permitting process required by local authorities.

For every dollar spent on mitigation, FEMA officials say, nearly four times as much is saved when another disaster like Sandy hits.

More information on ways to protect your property from disasters to come is available at: www.fema.gov.  Click on “Plan, Prepare and Mitigate.”