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FEMA Awards $39 Million in Debris Removal Funding

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved two Public Assistance (PA) grants totaling more than $39 million to reimburse the city of Long Beach and Nassau County for 75 percent of their costs for debris removal due to Hurricane Sandy.

$24 million will go to the city of Long Beach; $15 million will be awarded to Nassau County. FEMA does not perform the actual debris removal work; it reimburses the local governments that contract for the eligible work.

Strong winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Sandy brought down trees, tree limbs and power lines throughout Nassau County. Within the city of Long Beach, heavy rains and a six foot storm surge deposited more than 330,000 cubic yards of debris, 400,000 cubic yards of sand and 2,550 cubic yards of vegetative debris throughout the city.

Collecting and clearing out piles of debris has been one of the most difficult and time-consuming challenges of the recovery. Through hard work and persistence over the past month, debris piles are dwindling and, in many cases, disappearing altogether. The FEMA PA 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.

“FEMA is committed to getting people back into their homes” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael F. Byrne. “A critical step is clearing debris out of the way so the recovery can progress. We will continue to work alongside our partners in New York state and local government until the job is finished.”

Under FEMA’s PA program, FEMA obligates funds to the state for, at a minimum, 75 percent of eligible costs. The remaining 25 percent is covered provided by non-federal funds. The state forwards the federal funds to the eligible local governments or organizations that incurred costs.

For debris removal to be eligible, the work must be necessary to:

Eliminate an immediate threat to lives, public health and safety,
Eliminate immediate threats of significant damage to improved public and private property when the measures are cost effective, or
Ensure the economic recovery of the affected community to the benefit of the community-at-large.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/40805. You can follow FEMA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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FEMA Awards $39 Million in Debris Removal Funding

New Disaster Recovery Centers Open in White Lake, Freeport

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that new Disaster Recovery Centers are open in White Lake and Freeport to assist survivors of Hurricane Sandy.

Their locations and hours of operation are:

Cornelius Duggan School
3460 Rte. 55
White Lake, NY 12786
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Fri., Nov. 30

Freeport Recreation Center
130 East Merrick Rd.
Freeport, NY 11520
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday

Disaster Recovery Centers are one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors to get face-to-face help as quickly as possible. More centers will become available as sites are identified and approved. Conditions at individual locations may vary and affect opening times.

In addition to the new sites in White Lake and Freeport, more than 30 other Disaster Recovery Centers remain open throughout New York to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Anyone who sustained damage in counties designated for federal individual disaster assistance can visit any of the centers.

To find the one 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.

survivors to the proper resources for any unmet disaster needs, but they do not assess or document damage. FEMA inspectors will contact survivors directly after they have registered.

Help also can be obtained by calling FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice, and assistance is offered in most languages. Individuals may register for help online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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.

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New Disaster Recovery Centers Open in White Lake, Freeport

FEMA Urges Quick Filing of Insurance Claims

NEW YORK – Property owners who sustained flood damages and are insured by policies underwritten by the Federal Emergency Management Agency are strongly urged to file claims immediately.

“The faster the claim is filed, the sooner the settlement process can begin,” said David Passey of FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. “Individuals start the claim process by calling their insurance agent or company.”

The policyholder should provide the name of the issuing agent or company, the policy number and a phone number or email address where he or she can be reached, Passey said. After filing a claim, an adjuster will contact the policyholder within a few days to schedule an appointment for the initial inspection.

A “Proof of Loss” statement is required, which includes the detailed estimates of the cost to repair or replace damaged property. In most cases, the adjuster will provide a suggested Proof of Loss, but the ultimate responsibility for making sure the document is complete, accurate and filed on time is with the policyholder.

Should further damage be discovered after the adjuster has made an inspection, policyholders can file a supplemental claim.

“It is a good idea to separate damaged items from those that are OK,” Passey said. “And if possible, take lots of photographs of water in the property and things that are damaged. In case you are required to dispose of certain things, the photos will provide a record of what was ruined and removed.”

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program representatives can be reached at 800-427-4661 should policyholders have questions that cannot be answered by agents. More information is available at www.floodsmart.gov.

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FEMA Urges Quick Filing of Insurance Claims

New Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Piermont

NEW YORK — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that a new Disaster Recovery Center is open in Piermont to assist survivors of Hurricane Sandy.

The center is in Village Hall, 478 Piermont Ave., Piermont, NY 10968. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Sunday, Dec. 2.

In addition to the new site in Piermont, more than 30 other Disaster Recovery Centers remain open throughout New York to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Anyone who sustained damage in counties designated for federal individual disaster assistance can visit any of the centers.

Other help is available from roughly 1,000 FEMA community relations personnel who are blanketing damaged neighborhoods door to door, delivering information vital to recovery and encouraging residents to register for assistance when needed. These personnel can help refer survivors to the proper resources for any unmet disaster needs, but they do not assess or document damage. FEMA inspectors will contact survivors directly after they have registered.

Help also can be obtained by calling FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice and assistance is offered in most languages. Individuals may register for help online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by Smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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New Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Piermont

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.”

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

Last Chance to Visit Disaster Recovery Center in Lido Beach

NEW YORK – Hurricane Sandy survivors in Lido Beach, NY have until Monday at 7p.m. to visit the disaster recovery center at Nickerson Beach.

The state and FEMA closely monitor visitor traffic at all New York disaster recovery centers. Traffic to the Lido Beach center has decreased, indicating the information needs of survivors in the area has mostly been met.

People who need face-to-face help in Lido Beach should visit the center by Monday, November 26 before 7 p.m. at the following location: 880 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach, NY.

FEMA has 34 other Disaster Recovery Centers open to assist Hurricane Sandy survivors.

In addition, more than 1,200 FEMA community relations personnel are blanketing damaged neighborhoods, going door-to-door delivering information vital to recovery and encouraging residents with damaged property to register for assistance. They can help refer survivors to the proper resources for any unmet disaster needs, but they do not assess or document damage. FEMA inspectors will contact survivors directly after they have registered.

Help is always available by calling FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in most languages.

Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY can call 800-462-7585.

If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. Individuals may also register online at: www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by smart phone at m.fema.gov.

To find the Disaster Recovery 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.

Recovery centers are one-stop shops for eligible storm survivors to get help as quickly as possible. More centers will become available as sites are identified and approved. Conditions at individual locations may vary and affect opening times.

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Last Chance to Visit Disaster Recovery Center in Lido Beach

FEMA Eligibility Letter, the First Letter May Not Be the Final Word

NEW YORK – If you applied for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following Hurricane Sandy and received a letter stating you were not eligible for disaster aid, you should know that the first letter may not be the final word.

If applicants receive a letter from FEMA that states that they are ineligible, it does not necessarily mean an applicant is not eligible for disaster assistance. If the letter states “ineligible” or “incomplete,” more information may be needed, such as the applicant’s insurance documents or proof of status of their claim, prior to disaster aid being granted.

FEMA requires homeowners and renters to provide insurance and other information at the time of registration. After a disaster, important documents may not be readily available or may be destroyed. Applicants for disaster aid can update their information about insurance and residency at any point during the application process.

A determination letter sent by FEMA will specifically explain why an application needs to be revisited. It might ask for insurance settlement documentation for property damaged or destroyed, or for documents reflecting proof of occupancy or ownership of the damaged property.

Other reasons an applicant may receive a denial letter include:

The damaged property is not listed as your primary residence at the time of the disaster.
The damage was due to pre-existing conditions.
The disaster damage was not documented.
The FEMA housing inspector cannot reach the applicant by phone.
Someone else in the household has already applied for assistance.
The application is not complete.

Applicants have several options to obtain clarification on their letters, they can visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) or they can call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362, or TTY 1-800-462-7585. In the DRCs, applicants will find representatives from the state, FEMA, the SBA and other organizations. The FEMA representatives can provide clarity on the letter and guidance on what additional documentation is needed.

For a list of the DRCs open in New York, go online to www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers. For those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, please call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free lines are open 24 hours, seven days a week until further notice.

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FEMA Eligibility Letter, the First Letter May Not Be the Final Word

Hurricane Sandy Survivors Should Return SBA Disaster Loan Applications to Keep Options Open

NEW YORK — Federal Emergency Management Agency grants are not the only disaster assistance option for Hurricane Sandy survivors. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s low-interest disaster loan program is another important source of assistance for homeowners, renters and businesses.

While some people prefer to avoid borrowing money to cover disaster-related expenses, additional unforeseen costs can arise down the road, leaving them without enough money to cover all expenses.

Additional financial gaps that may occur include:

Insurance not covering all repair or rebuilding costs;
Discovering disaster-related damage costs are more than the initial estimate; and
Finding additional damages.

Survivors who receive low-interest disaster loan applications from SBA after registering with FEMA should complete and return the applications even if they do not plan to accept a loan. By completing this important step in the process, they may become eligible for other forms of assistance, including additional grants from FEMA for homeowners and renters.

Homeowners, renters, private nonprofit organizations and businesses of all sizes, including people who own rental property, in designated counties can apply for low-interest disaster loans to pay for disaster-related damages. Applicants may apply for loans with SBA before insurance is settled.

Homeowners can receive loans of up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residences. Homeowners and renters may also borrow up to $40,000 to replace damaged or destroyed personal property including vehicles. Businesses and private nonprofits can apply for loans of up

to $2 million. Interest rates for businesses are as low as four percent to cover physical damage and economic injury caused by the disaster. For private nonprofits, interest rates are as low as three percent.

Disaster loans with rates as low as 1.688 percent are available for homeowners and renters in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties, which have been designated for FEMA individual assistance. Loan terms may be up to 30 years to make payments affordable.

Applicants may 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 (TTY 800-877-8339.) Assistance is also available by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov.

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 12 SBA business recovery centers.

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).

To locate the nearest business recovery center, visit www.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955
(TTY 800-877-8339.)

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Hurricane Sandy Survivors Should Return SBA Disaster Loan Applications to Keep Options Open

FEMA Approves $156 Million in Individual Assistance for New York’s Sandy Survivors

Main Content

Release date:

November 6, 2012

Release Number:

NR-007

NEW YORK CITY — Since Hurricane Sandy struck New York a week ago, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved more than $156 million to help individuals and families recover from the disaster.

FEMA provides the following snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of Nov. 6:

More than 123,000 New Yorkers have registered with FEMA for disaster assistance.
20 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) have been opened in the nine declared counties.
1,556 FEMA personnel deployed to New York in response to Hurricane Sandy.
More than 800 Community Relations (CR) specialists are strategically positioned throughout affected communities, going door to door explaining the types of disaster assistance available and how to register. More teams continue to arrive daily.
More than 1,000 inspectors in the field have completed more than 13,300 home inspections.
New York’s major disaster declaration was amended so that the nine declared counties are approved for all categories of Public Assistance, which includes reimbursement for eligible costs of emergency response services, debris removal and repairs to public infrastructure.

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) should call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m.to 10 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.

Last Updated:

November 7, 2012 – 13:14

State or Region:

New York

Related Disaster:

New York Hurricane Sandy

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FEMA Approves $156 Million in Individual Assistance for New York’s Sandy Survivors

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