Sandy Debris Removal Passes 95 percent in 95 days

NEW YORK – Debris removal efforts after Hurricane Sandy in New York are nearing completion. More than 95 percent of the debris has been removed within 95 days of the storm hitting New York.

That includes everything from fallen trees to vehicles, boats, drywall and furniture, washers, dryers and insulation. It all amounts to 5.25 million cubic yards of debris caused by the strong winds and heavy rains created by Hurricane Sandy, beginning Oct. 27, 2012. That’s enough debris to fill the 102-story Empire State Building a little more than 3.5 times.

Collecting and hauling debris to the curbs has involved homeowners, neighbors and volunteers working with city, state and federal agencies. Neighbors and volunteers combined their skill and chainsaws to remove broken trees from yards and streets along with cleaning up disaster debris from public streets.

The demolition of destroyed structures is ongoing and about 20 percent complete.

Early in the cleanup, barges were used to haul debris to landfills in upstate New York.

The debris is also being trucked to landfills in other states.

Vegetation, such as wood, tree branches, leaves and other organic matter, is incinerated or chipped. Chips will be recycled for beneficial reuse.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations 75 percent of eligible debris removal costs. In order to qualify, damage must be a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.

A U.S. Army Corp of Engineers video of the Hurricane Sandy debris work is at this link: http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/11140

Editors: for a free-use FEMA debris news photo: http://www.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=61125

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

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.

Continued: 

Sandy Debris Removal Passes 95 percent in 95 days

New York Disaster Recovery Centers to end service on Sundays

NEW YORK – All Disaster Recovery Centers in New York will stop offering service on Sundays beginning Feb. 3, 2013. Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York can still receive assistance Monday through Saturday at any recovery center.

The State of New York and the Federal Emergency Management Agency closely monitor visitor traffic at all New York Disaster Recovery Centers and revise hours of operation accordingly. Traffic at the recovery centers has slowed on Sundays. So far, more than 145,000 Hurricane Sandy survivors have visited recovery centers in New York.

In addition, the recovery center located in the Sheepshead Bay Club, 3076 Emmons Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11235, will close early, at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. The center will open at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4.

The recovery center at the American Legion, 209 Cross Bay Blvd., Broad Channel, NY 11693, will open at 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 4, 2013.

The two centers’ normal operating hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Survivors who need help may still visit any of the other 17 centers that remain open throughout New York. To find the nearest center, 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, the Disaster Recovery Center locator is available online at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

Individuals also can find a recovery center – and register for FEMA help – online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet by going to m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app. Survivors also can call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). People who use 7-1-1 Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST, seven days a week until further notice.

Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York have until Feb. 27, 2013, to register for federal disaster assistance, which can include money for rent, 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/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.

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New York Disaster Recovery Centers to end service on Sundays

Nearly $1.6 billion provided by FEMA, SBA to New York Hurricane Sandy survivors

Nearly $1.6 billion provided by FEMA, SBA to New York Hurricane Sandy survivors

Main Content

Release date:

January 25, 2013

Release Number:

NR-151

NEW YORK — Federal disaster assistance to New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy totals almost $1.6 billion.

FEMA continues to reach out to all 13 counties designated for Individual Assistance, focusing on the hardest-hit areas. Assistance to residents in affected counties includes:

  • Bronx            $2.4 million
  • Kings            $191.1 million
  • Nassau          $280.6 million
  • New York       $13 million
  • Queens          $221.1 million
  • Richmond       $89.3 million
  • Suffolk            $64.8 million

FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration have approved almost $1.6 billion for Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York. FEMA has approved nearly $868 million for individuals and households, including more than $761 million for housing assistance and more than $106 million in assistance for other needs.

  • SBA has approved more than $667 million in disaster loans to homeowners and renters and nearly $44 million in disaster businesses loans. The SBA has staff members at every FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center and 17 Business Recovery Centers in the New York area to provide one-on-one help to business owners seeking disaster assistance.
  • More than 264,000 New Yorkers have contacted FEMA for information or registered for assistance, including more than 143,000 who have applied through the online application site at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or on their smartphone at m.fema.gov.
  • 18 Disaster Recovery Centers are open in the affected areas. These include mobile sites as well as fixed sites. To date, nearly 140,000 survivors have been assisted at Disaster Recovery Centers in New York.          
  • 58 inspectors are currently in the field. To date, 174,472 home inspections have been completed, making a 99.4 percent completion rate.
  • 13 New York counties are designated for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance. These are Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. Greene County has been designated for Public Assistance only.
  • Nearly $1.7 billion has been paid to National Flood Insurance Program policy holders in New York for losses resulting from Sandy. The National Flood Insurance Program, administered by FEMA, offers flood insurance to all homeowners, renters and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP.
  • Since Hurricane Sandy made landfall, FEMA has provided more than $519 million in Public Assistance grants in New York State. 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.

Individuals can register with FEMA 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 are available from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST, seven days a week.

Last Updated:

January 25, 2013 – 16:36

State or Region:

New York

Related Disaster:

New York Hurricane Sandy

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Nearly $1.6 billion provided by FEMA, SBA to New York Hurricane Sandy survivors

SBA Disaster Loan Important for Homeowners and Renters

NEW YORK – Of the more than 161,000 low-interest U. S. Small Business Administration disaster loan applications sent to New York’s Hurricane Sandy survivors, fewer than 34,000 have been completed and returned.

SBA loans represent a major source of federal funding for disaster home repair and reconstruction. Applicants are urged to complete and return their applications as soon as possible.

Most SBA disaster loans go to individuals and families, and interest rates may be as low as 1.688 percent with terms up to 30 years.

The deadline for New York’s Hurricane Sandy survivors to apply for both FEMA assistance and an SBA loan is Jan. 28, 2013.

Some of the top reasons for submitting an SBA application by the deadline include:

  • Your homeowner insurance settlement falls short. You may find out that you were under-insured for the amount of work it will take to repair or replace your damaged home. An SBA low-interest loan can cover the uninsured costs. By submitting the loan application, you may have loan money available when it is needed most. SBA can approve a loan for the repair or replacement of your home up to $200,000. Once your insurance settles, you may apply those funds to your disaster loan. However, the opportunity for an SBA disaster loan may be lost if you wait past the application deadline.
  • SBA can work with an applicant to shape a loan that fits your personal budget. If you already have a mortgage on the damaged property, SBA specialists can work with you to come up with an affordable low-interest loan package. In some cases, SBA can refinance all or part of an existing mortgage when the applicant has sustained significant damage to their house.
  • SBA can help renters replace their essential items. Renters, as well as homeowners, may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, cars or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster.
  • By submitting your SBA loan application, you keep the full range of disaster assistance available as an option. If SBA does not approve a loan for you – or approves a small loan that doesn’t cover all of your needs – you may be referred to other programs that can provide grants to replace essential household items, replace or repair a damaged vehicle or cover storage expenses, among other serious disaster-related needs. But if you do not submit the loan application you received from SBA, the assistance process may stop.

It takes less than 30 minutes to fill out an application. A simple, fast, and very available way to complete the application is online, using the SBA’s electronic loan application. Go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. Plus, you can receive an update on the status of your application by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing).

SBA customer service representatives are available to issue or accept low-interest disaster loan applications and answer questions at all New York State/FEMA disaster recovery centers and

SBA business recovery centers. To locate the nearest business recovery center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing).

To find the nearest disaster recovery center, check out the disaster recovery center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or, with a tablet or smartphone, go to m.fema.gov. You may also text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). For example, if you lived in Staten Island, you would text:  “DRC 10301.” Or call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).

More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing). Assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov.

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

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.

Recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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SBA Disaster Loan Important for Homeowners and Renters

There Are Plenty of Reasons to Apply for an SBA Disaster Loan

NEW YORK – The very reasons Hurricane Sandy survivors in New York find for not applying for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration are the very reasons they should apply – on or before the Jan. 28 deadline.

“Oh I’m not eligible and I don’t own a business.”

Most SBA disaster loans go to individuals and families, and interest rates may be as low as 1.688 percent with terms up to 30 years. Loans to homeowners help pay for repair or replacement of their disaster-damaged primary residence. The loans also help homeowners and renters pay to replace disaster-damaged personal property.

“I don’t want a loan or can’t qualify for one.”

Filing the loan application does not obligate people to accept the loan, but individual and family applicants must still complete the SBA loan application before they can be considered for certain other FEMA grants and programs that could include assistance for disaster-related medical and dental expenses, disaster-related car repairs, clothing and household items. Completing the SBA application assures that the federal disaster recovery process continues and that you’re keeping your options open.

“It’s just too much trouble to fill out an application.”

It takes less than 30 minutes to fill out an application. Applicants can also receive one-on-one assistance at any Disaster Recovery Center or SBA Business Recovery Center. A simple, fast, and very available way to complete the application is online, using the SBA’s electronic loan application. Go to https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. Plus, you can receive an update on the status of your application by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing).

“But I’m a renter not a homeowner.”

Renters who need to repair or replace essential items lost in Hurricane Sandy can get help from the SBA. Renters may qualify for long-term, low-interest SBA loans to repair or replace personal property items, such as clothing, furniture, cars, or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster.

“I’m going to wait for my insurance settlement.”

Survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance companies before applying for SBA disaster loan assistance. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA will consider making a loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay their SBA loan. 

“I own the property but it’s not my primary residence.”

If your property is used as a normal part of your business, such as rental property, you may be eligible to apply as a business owner. We suggest you submit your application and let SBA make that determination.

“Why bother with SBA when I also need to raise or elevate my home.”

If your disaster loan application is approved, you may be eligible for additional funds to cover the cost of improvements that will protect your property against future damage. Examples of improvements include elevating your house, retaining walls, seawalls, sump pumps, etc.

“Our neighbors were turned down for an SBA loan and they make more than we do.”

Don’t make the mistake of eliminating yourself.  Everyone’s situation is unique to them and SBA will work with you if you feel you may have a problem qualifying for the loan.  Remember, if a homeowner or renter cannot qualify for the SBA loan, they will be referred back to FEMA for additional grant consideration.

SBA customer service representatives are available to issue or accept low-interest disaster loan applications and answer questions at all New York State/FEMA disaster recovery centers and

SBA business recovery centers. To locate the nearest business recovery center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing).

To find the nearest disaster recovery center, check out the disaster recovery center locator at www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or, with a tablet or smartphone, go to m.fema.gov. You may also text “DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). For example, if you lived in Staten Island, you would text:  “DRC 10301.” Or call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).

Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing). Assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov.

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

Original source – 

There Are Plenty of Reasons to Apply for an SBA Disaster Loan

Montgomery County Added to Hurricane Sandy Disaster Declaration

Montgomery County Added to Hurricane Sandy Disaster Declaration

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Montgomery County has been added to the Public Assistance (PA) declaration for Hurricane Sandy recovery in Pennsylvania, according to officials from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

This announcement makes categories A-G of the federal Public Assistance program available to eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in Montgomery County.

FEMA manages the PA program, approves grants and provides technical assistance to the Commonwealth and applicants. The Commonwealth educates potential applicants, works with FEMA to manage the program and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program. Local officials are responsible for identifying damage, providing information necessary for FEMA to approve grants and managing each project funded under the program.

Through the PA program, FEMA provides supplemental federal disaster grant assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and the facilities of certain private nonprofit organizations. The PA program also encourages protection of these damaged facilities from future events by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures during the recovery process.

The addition of Montgomery County brings the total number of counties in Pennsylvania eligible to apply for federal assistance for Hurricane Sandy recovery to 17. The 16 counties in the major disaster declaration when it was signed by President Obama on January 10 include: Bedford, Bucks, Cameron, Dauphin, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Potter, Somerset, Sullivan and Wyoming. 

All counties within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Mitigation may lessen the impact of disasters.

For a list of frequently asked questions about the federal PA process see http://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-frequently-asked-questions.

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. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

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Montgomery County Added to Hurricane Sandy Disaster Declaration

Two Weeks Left To Return SBA Disaster Loan Application, Register For Assistance

NEW YORK — Survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey have less than two weeks to register for disaster assistance and to return their applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The quickest way to apply for an SBA disaster home or business loan is filling out an online application at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Ways to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency:

  • Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov
  • Call the 24-hour numbers 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585
  • For 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) call 800-621-3362
  • A FEMA Language Assistance Line is available for those who need interpretation services in languages other than English or Spanish. Call: 866-333-1796.

Survivors must register or return the loan application by the deadline in their state.

Deadline for New York: Monday, Jan. 28, by midnight EST. Counties in NEW YORK designated for individual assistance include: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

Deadline for New Jersey: Wednesday, Jan. 30, by midnight EST. ALL counties in NEW JERSEY are designated for individual assistance.

U.S. Small Business Administration

SBA is the primary source of federal funds for long-term rebuilding. In most cases, FEMA funds will not cover all of the repair needs of homeowners. Money for a temporary rental home is the form of help FEMA largely provides so obtaining a low-interest SBA disaster loan is a survivor’s best option for repairing their home and replacing property.

People can apply to SBA before settling with their insurance company – so there’s no need to wait. Applying by the deadline can avoid a shortfall in rebuilding money if survivors later discover they are underinsured.

By returning the SBA loan application, homeowners may be eligible for up to $200,000 to repair or replace their storm-damaged home. Homeowners and renters may be eligible for up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property such as clothing, furniture, cars and appliances.

There is no obligation to accept an SBA disaster home loan and homeowners and renters may become eligible for additional FEMA grants if they are not approved for a loan.

For businesses and private nonprofit organizations, the SBA may loan up to $2 million to repair or replace storm-damaged property.

For additional information on SBA, contact the customer service center by calling 800-659-2955

(for people who are deaf or hard of hearing TTY 800-877-8339), emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visiting sba.gov.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA may be able to help with disaster-related costs that are not covered by insurance. Survivors in designated counties are encouraged to apply for possible grant assistance for temporary housing, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. People who have sustained a loss due to Hurricane Sandy should register even if they have insurance.

Affected survivors may visit a disaster recovery center for more information about FEMA and SBA assistance. For nearby locations, visit www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

For more information on Hurricane Sandy recovery, visit:

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Two Weeks Left To Return SBA Disaster Loan Application, Register For Assistance

FEMA Outreach to Help Agents Answer Flood Insurance Questions

WINDSOR, Conn. — How can flood insurance agents become better prepared to answer the many questions policyholders ask after a big flooding disaster like Hurricane Sandy?

That dialogue is taking place between FEMA and Connecticut insurance agents as a new outreach effort begun in December continues to expand the knowledge of agents who sell National Flood Insurance Program policies.

During the peak outreach from Jan. 14 – 25, FEMA will provide insurance agents with more in-depth training on National Flood Insurance Program policies, processes and risk management. The initiative will help insurance agents better serve Connecticut policyholders, property owners and renters who have questions about their flood insurance claims.

“It is important that consumers have all the facts about flood insurance so they can make informed decisions to manage risk and take control of their financial security. And it all starts with informed and knowledgeable insurance agents,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis.

FEMA flood insurance specialists expect to make in-person visits to more than 500 insurance agencies statewide during the two-week outreach initiative. They will hand-deliver hundreds of “NFIP Agent Tool Kits,” which include several information brochures and explanatory bulletins.

FEMA has made it a priority to conduct insurance agency visits in all the Connecticut coastal communities hit by Hurricane Sandy. As of Jan. 7, FEMA personnel have visited 69 agencies in 21 hard-hit communities. During this time FEMA will also be offering special NFIP informational webinars and agent training workshops.

The NFIP is a federal program that provides access to affordable, federally backed flood insurance protection for property owners.

Following Hurricane Sandy last year, FEMA kicked off a flood insurance education initiative in partnership with the state of Connecticut and the Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut, Inc.

In December, FEMA opened a Flood Response Office at 1064 E. Main St., Meriden, CT 06450.

The office provides support to insurance agents and policyholders with questions about NFIP claims. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The office can be reached at 203-634-1118.

The Connecticut Insurance Department has a Consumer Helpline at 860-297-3900 or 800-203-3447. Policyholders can also e-mail their questions or complaints to the Insurance Department at cid.ca@ct.gov or visit the Department’s Web site at www.ct.gov/cid.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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.

For accessibility: The recommended font type is sans serif 12 point for regular print and sans serif 18 point when specifically printed for people with vision impairments.

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FEMA Outreach to Help Agents Answer Flood Insurance Questions

FEMA Aid Registration Extended, Federal Support More than $9.8 Million in R.I.

WARWICK, R.I. – With total federal support to date for Hurricane Sandy damage in the The Ocean State now exceeding $9.8 million, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended the deadline for Rhode Islanders with losses from Sandy to register for assistance until February 13.

The following is a summary as of January 10, 2013, of federal support for individuals, families and public entities with losses from Hurricane Sandy:

  • 590 households have registered with FEMA for some form of disaster assistance, including financial grants, loans and other disaster-related services.

  • $368,374 has been approved in grants to cover repairs to homes and rental assistance

  • $22,086 has been approved to help Rhode Islanders with other disaster-related needs such as lost personal property and loss of transportation.

  • 71 applicants have requested aid from the Public Assistance Program. For these applicants FEMA has prepared 97 separate public assistance projects totaling $2,370,404, of which $347,793 has already been obligated to the state to reimburse local, county, and state government entities and

  • $631,400 in low interest, disaster recovery loans to homeowners has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

  • The National Flood Insurance Program estimates that approximately 1,000 claims have been filed related to Superstorm Sandy in Rhode Island and around $6.5 million has been paid out to survivors.

Rhode Islanders have until midnight February 13 to register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Individuals may also register by calling FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Multilingual recovery specialists are available. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585 directly; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay service. 

FEMA-state assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, uninsured vehicle damage, lost or damaged personal property and many other costs incurred because of Hurricane Sandy. Even people who have insurance may qualify for FEMA aid to help with expenses their insurance does not cover, such as temporary housing during home repairs.

Low interest disaster loans are vital to full recovery for many who had storm damage. The U.S. Small Business Administration provides these loans, not just for small businesses, but also for homeowners, renters, businesses of any size and some private nonprofits to cover uncompensated real or personal property losses. The deadline to apply for an SBA loan is February 13.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

Rhode Islanders who lost income because of Hurricane Sandy and are ineligible for regular unemployment benefits may be eligible for special disaster unemployment benefits. The deadline to apply is February 4, 2013. File a claim online at http://www.dlt.ri.gov/ui/.

Find tweets about Sandy recovery at www.twitter.com/femaregion1. For Rhode Island specific information go to http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4089. Other online resources include http://blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Link – 

FEMA Aid Registration Extended, Federal Support More than $9.8 Million in R.I.

FEMA Provides Checklist for Rebuilding

FEMA Provides Checklist for Rebuilding

Main Content

Release date:

January 10, 2013

Release Number:

NR-132

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has developed a checklist to help Hurricane Sandy survivors rebuild smarter, stronger and safer so their homes are protected in future storms.

“We want survivors to plan for the future, to ensure their homes and communities are stronger when the next storm hits,” said Michael F. Byrne, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer.

The checklist can be downloaded at www.fema.gov/SandyNY.

Here are some of the key points on the checklist:

  • Know your risk. Review local flood maps to understand the property’s flood risk.
  • Develop a plan to protect the property and reduce the impact of flooding. 
  • Finalize the plan. Contact local building officials before rebuilding, renovating or retrofitting. Make sure plans meet local and state government requirements.
  • Get insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program helps cover costly losses associated with flooding. Visit www.floodsmart.gov.

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

Last Updated:

January 10, 2013 – 16:29

State or Region:

New York

Related Disaster:

New York Hurricane Sandy

More here – 

FEMA Provides Checklist for Rebuilding

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