New York Disaster Assistance For November Floods Tops $19 Million
Release Date: April 12, 2007
Release Number: 1670-023
» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Flooding
ALBANY, N.Y. -- More than $19.1 million has been approved for assistance to homeowners, renters, businesses, and public entities that suffered damage from the November 2006 storms and flooding, announced officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO).
These funds come in the form of grants and federal programs for personal losses. Low-interest disaster loans obtained through the U.S. Small Business Administration provide money for individuals to repair and rebuild homes and for small businesses to rebuild and recover.
Below is a summary of the recovery activities from FEMA and SEMO as of close of business Monday, April 9, 2007. The approved dollar amounts will continue to rise as more applications are processed.
- 1,347 individuals (homeowners and renters) have registered for assistance. The deadline to register was February 20.
- $2.68 million has been approved for 899 households through the FEMA Housing Program. Housing assistance provides grants to renters to find alternate housing. Homeowners may receive grants to repair disaster-damaged dwellings.
- $232,495 has been approved for 190 households through the FEMA/State Other Needs Assistance Program (ONA), which provides grants for lost personal property, transportation, and medical, dental and funeral expenses.
- 116 low-interest disaster loans totaling $2.0 million have been approved for homeowners, renters and business owners by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). An SBA disaster loan is the primary source of federal funding to help those affected return to pre-disaster conditions.
- $14.2 million has been approved as the federal share (75 percent) to help local government entities and eligible private non-profits to repair flood damage and pay for emergency costs.
The major federal disaster declaration enabled local governments, state agencies and certain private non-profits in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Hamilton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Otsego, Sullivan, and Tioga counties to apply for federal recovery aid. Residents and business owners in Broome and Chenango counties were also eligible to register for assistance.
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for 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 Customer Service Representatives to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Friday, 13-Apr-2007 01:20:07