One Week After The Declaration - Recovery Information 

Release Date: July 11, 2006
Release Number: 1650-010

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- One week after President Bush declared a major disaster at the request of Governor Pataki because of severe storms and flooding in New York, a total of 20 counties have been declared disaster areas, State and federal recovery officials said today as they continue the difficult tasks of helping people and communities in the rebuilding process.

"Homeowners, renters and businesses in 12 counties may be eligible for grants and loans to recover from the flooding," said Federal Coordinating Officer Marianne Jackson of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "Inspectors are already in the field visiting homes."

The 12 counties are: Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga and Ulster.

The financial burden on local taxpayers is also being addressed.  "Government agencies and certain non profits in the following counties may be eligible for reimbursement for flood losses and emergency costs: Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins and Ulster," said State Coordinating Officer John R. Gibb of New York's State Office of Emergency Management.  "Briefings to explain the government-to-government aid program will be scheduled soon."

Working in partnership, New York State and FEMA have also opened Disaster Assistance Service Centers (DASC) throughout the heavily impacted flood areas. The State reports more than 6,800 flood victims have completed applications for State assistance at these centers that are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The locations are:

At Disaster Assistance Service Centers, the following agencies may be present:  State Department of Labor, State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, State Insurance Department, State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, State Office of Children and Family Services, State and/or County Office of Mental Health, State Office for the Aging, Governor's Office of Small Cities, County Social Services, Empire State Development Corporation, FEMA, Social Service Administration, American Red Cross, Salvation Army and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Both State and federal officials urge people to make two calls for assistance. To register with FEMA, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY: 1-800-462-7585. Lines are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Flood victims can register also online at www.fema.gov. More than 6,000 have registered for FEMA assistance. The county breakdown is as follows:

County FEMA Registrations
Broome 2,269
Chenago 510
Delaware 1,284
Herkimer 263
Montgomery 391
Oneida 26
Orange 17
Otsego 607
Schoharie 30
Sullivan 296
Tioga 417
Ulster 29

To register for assistance from New York State, call 1-888-7-NYS-AID (1-888-769-7243) or (TTY) NYS Relay 711; or register online at www.labor.state.ny.us. The State lines are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program.  FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 11-Jul-2006 12:59:14