Updated Flood Information

I am pleased to report that affected homeowners, renters and businesses in Montgomery, Saratoga and Schenectady Counties are now eligible for FEMA assistance. To register for FEMA assistance, call (800) 621-3362, or register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/

Residents in those counties still need help while the FEMA process is underway. The following is contact information for some of the organizations which can provide assistance to affected persons. Most of these organizations are also taking donations and/or volunteer help.

* American Red Cross of Northeastern New York (Montgomery, Schenectady and Fulton Counties): 458-8111 or (800) 831-0927

* Fulmont Community Action Agency: 842-0790

* Salvation Army (Amsterdam): 842-9941

* Salvation Army (Fulton County): 725-4119

* Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties: Amsterdam Office - 842-4202 or Johnstown - 762-8313

* Catholic Charities (Saratoga County): 587-5000

* Schenectady City Mission: 346-2275

* Valley Alliance Church (Montgomery County): 993-3458

* United Way of the Greater Capital Region: 456-2200

* Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany: 453-6650

For those in Montgomery County, Department of Social Services satellite office in Ft. Plain will be closed as of 4 p.m. today. The Amsterdam City Hall Annex Building site (P: 423-8056) will be open on Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All locations will be closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday. All services will be back at the main office in Fonda on Tuesday.

For those familiar with the United Way 2-1-1 telephone referral service, hours are expanded through this weekend. Typically, the referral service is only available Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., however it will be open until 8 p.m. tonight and through this weekend.Many historic sites were also hit hard by the flooding and storm. The Old Fort Johnson historic site is seeking volunteers to help with the cleanup on Saturday Sept 3rd. Contact either Lori Rulison at 424-2679 / lorirulison@verizon.net or Gene Lees at 866-1657 / genebl@verizon.net to register to help.

The Walter Elwood Museum is looking for donations to preserve its collection. Items such as paper towels, cleaning products (non-bleach) trash bags, windex. If you would like to donate, drop donations off at WCSS in the Riverfront Center, Amsterdam. I have made requests on behalf of the Elwood Museum to obtain additional equipment and help from the State in preserving artifacts so they can be salvaged from this disaster.

The Governor has also established a program to coordinate volunteer activities to help flood victims. For more information, visit http://www.governor.ny.gov/laborforyourneighbor