Additional Counties Designated For Disaster Assistance 

Release Date: May 3, 2007
Release Number: 1692-011

» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that disaster assistance for state and local government and certain private non-profits in 12 counties has been approved. Disaster assistance for renters, homeowners, and businesses in three more counties has also been approved.

At the request of the Governor, President Bush signed a major disaster declaration for New York State on April 24 following the April nor'easter. The April 24th declaration triggered disaster assistance for individuals in Orange, Rockland, and Westchester counties.

Aid to governments, termed Public Assistance, funds eligible emergency work such as overtime and debris removal as well as the repair of damaged public facilities not covered by insurance. Certain private non-profits which provide governmental services can also be eligible. FEMA funds 75% of costs. The New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) manages the Public Assistance program. Briefings to explain the application process will be announced by SEMO.

The twelve counties are: Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Schoharie, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester.

The three new counties for Individual Assistance are: Albany, Dutchess and the borough of Staten Island (Richmond County) in New York City.

"Our goal is to work closely with New York State to help communities recover from nor'easter damage," said Marianne C. Jackson, FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer for the nor'easter in New York State. "Our decisions to provide disaster assistance are based on field assessments by local, state, and FEMA disaster experts."

Homeowners, renters and businesses in the six counties for Individual Assistance can register for state/federal aid. The program includes grants for repairs and for rent of alternative housing, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and grants for other serious unmet needs.

People in those areas whose property or income was damaged by the nor'easter and subsequent flooding may register for assistance by calling (800) 621-FEMA (3362) (TTY 800-462-7585) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily, or online at www.fema.gov.

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: Thursday, 03-May-2007 10:41:08