Additional Counties To Receive Federal Disaster Aid

ONEONTA, 09/13/11 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today announced that additional federal aid is now available for residents and business owners that suffered flood damage as a result of Tropical Storm Lee.

“FEMA assistance is already helping many who suffered damage after Tropical Storm Irene tore through our region, now those hit a week later by Tropical Storm Lee will also receive assistance in rebuilding,” said Senator Seward. “I joined Governor Cuomo on an aerial tour of much of the damaged region and together we witnessed the flood devastation. I appreciate the governor’s advocacy in securing additional federal aid for those in need.”

Under the most recent declaration, residents and small businesses in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, and Tioga counties are now eligible to apply for the following assistance: the Individuals and Households Program, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, USDA food coupons and distribution, USDA food commodities, Disaster Legal Services, the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Small Business Administration disaster loans. The declaration also includes statewide implementation of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Those who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM seven days a week until further notice.

Additional counties may be made eligible for federal assistance as ongoing damage assessments are completed.

Senator Seward also announced the New York State Insurance Department Mobile Command Center (MCC) has extended its stay in Schoharie County to assist residents and business owners with questions they may have following recent storms and flooding.

The mobile command center is a 50-foot long van equipped with high-speed internet access and telephone equipment that is being used to help property owners file claims and contact their insurance companies. Insurance Department personnel will also be available to answer consumers' questions.

The mobile command center will be parked on Main Street, Middleburgh across from the post office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, Wednesday.

In addition to the MCC, New Yorkers with questions about insurance are urged to call the New York State Insurance Department's disaster hotline, 1-800-339-1759, Monday though Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Insurance-related information can also be found on the department's website, www.ins.state.ny.us.
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