After Irene, FEMA is still here to help

As many on the South Shore still struggle to recover from Hurricane Irene, it’s important to know that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is still here to help residents.

FEMA, along with the New York State Office of Emergency Management, has been in the area since the hurricane, assessing damages and getting ready to help homeowners, businesses and municipalities.

Residents and business owners have to register with FEMA before they can receive aid. However, the registration process only takes about 15 minutes. You can register by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov. Once registered, people can find out how much aid they can get from FEMA. Residents have until Oct. 29 to register with FEMA.

The information needed to register is simple: the address of the damaged property, the names of the people living in the house, a description of the damage, the Social Security Account number of any family member living in the house and the extent of insurance coverage.

“We want people to know that we’re here to help as much as we can,” said David Hasemyer, a public information officer for FEMA. “And that there is some place to turn.”

The money from FEMA is to covered uninsured losses to homes — up to $30,000 worth.

“The money is to get peoples’ homes clean and habitable so they can get back in and live there,” Hasemyer said.

FEMA established Disaster Recover Centers (DRCs) all over the state to help New Yorkers cope with the aftermath of the recent storms. In Nassau, the DRC is located at the Mitchell Field Sports Complex, at 1 Charles Lindberg Blvd in Garden City. The center is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, it will be closing at the end of the day on Oct. 1.

While people can register at the DRC, it’s strongly encouraged to do so beforehand to expedite the process. Once registered, residents will be able to take better advantage of the resources at the DRC. FEMA’s main aid for residents is housing assistance: whether it be money to repair your home or helping you find a place to live while repairs are underway. The agency can also help small businesses secure loans for repairs.

FEMA also offers aid to municipalities to help them pay for reconstruction from the storms. School districts and villages have until Sept. 30 to apply to FEMA for public assistance.

The agency can help municipalities pay for the costs incurred by the storm, from debris removal to damage repair, even paying for overtime costs incurred by police and fire fighters.

“There are two components: one, where we get out and help the people,” Hasemyer said. “And the second is where we help government. Which helps the people, because it relieves the financial burden that would otherwise be passed on through taxes.”