Recovery Information Update
Release Date: July 21, 2006
Release Number: 1650-025
» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Flooding
ALBANY, N. Y. -- In coordination with State and local governments, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has activated its travel trailer program for New York communities hard hit by the June flooding. This program allows those with substantial damage to their homes to have a temporary (four months or less) place to live while they work on repairing their home. FEMA housing experts will contact people whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged and who have registered with FEMA.
More than 9,700 have registered for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Under the disaster declaration, the counties of Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga and Ulster are eligible for disaster assistance to help with temporary housing and emergency housing repairs, as well as the repair and replacement of damaged or lost personal property.
More than $14 million has been approved for housing, and more than $2.5 million for serious disaster-related needs.
Thus far, The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued more than 8,700 applications for low-interest loans to individuals and businesses and has approved $5.3 million. The SBA is the federal government’s primary resource for long-term disaster recovery financing. Through its disaster loan program, SBA provides affordable and timely financial assistance to homeowners, renters and businesses that experience otherwise uncompensated damages and losses in the declared counties.
Flood victims, who may be displaced, can visit the nearest U.S. post office and fill out a change-of-address form. They can also get the form from any mail carrier. It will take only a day or two to resume mail service.
FEMA wants to remind those affected by the flooding that only primary homes are eligible for FEMA disaster housing assistance which includes temporary housing or home repair assistance.
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 12,000 flood victims have completed applications for State assistance at these centers that are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Centers are closed on Sunday.
- Broome County: Binghamton High School, 31 Main Street, Binghamton, NY; Susquehanna Valley High School, 1040 Conklin Rd., Conklin, NY; Endwell Fire Station, 3508 Conklin Road, Conklin
- Broome and Delaware Counties: Deposit High School, 171 Second Street, Deposit, NY
- Chenango County: Bainbridge Town Hall, 15 North Main Street, Bainbridge, NY
- Delaware County: Walton High School, 47-49 Stockton Avenue, Walton, NY; Hancock Central School, 67 Education Lane, Hancock, NY; Sidney Civic Center, 21 Liberty St., Sidney, NY
- Herkimer County: Little Falls Senior Center, 524 East Main St., Little Falls, NY
- Montgomery County: Senior Center, 204 Canal St., Ft. Plain, NY
- Otsego County: SUNY Campus, Lee Hall, Ravine Parkway, Oneonta, NY
- Sullivan County: Livingston Manor Middle School, 19 School Street, Livingston, NY
- Tioga County: Owego-Apalachin Middle School, 3 Sheldon Guile Boulevard, Owego, NY
The following DASCs have transitioned to SBA Disaster Loan Assistance Centers to assist those who may need information on low-interest loans or help with their applications: Orange County - Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School, 10 Route 209, Port Jervis, NY; Montgomery County - Fultonville Middle School, 112 Old Johnstown Road, Fonda, NY. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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. In addition, flood victims can register online at www.fema.gov. The FEMA Helpline is also operational and is the same number as the registration line. The deadline to register for FEMA disaster assistance is September 1, 2006.
| County | FEMA Registrations |
|---|---|
| Broome | 3,495 |
| Chenago | 843 |
| Delaware | 1,996 |
| Herkimer | 447 |
| Montgomery | 571 |
| Oneida | 75 |
| Orange | 69 |
| Otsego | 1,041 |
| Schoharie | 56 |
| Sullivan | 475 |
| Tioga | 643 |
| Ulster | 66 |
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. The State’s helpline number is 1-888-329-7540.
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: Monday, 24-Jul-2006 01:08:56