Federal Gov't Answers Plea by Local Leaders to Declare Flooded Sound Shore Communities a Disaster Area
Myers Announces Critical Federal Aid Now Available to Individuals and Businesses; Encourages All Flood Victims To Make Claims To FEMA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 25, 2007

Contact: Laura Siegel at (914) 995-2802 or LauraS@westchesterlegislators.com

County Legislator Judy Myers announced that local leaders were successful in their plea to have the communities of Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle and Rye declared “disaster areas” by the federal government and the difficult work of rebuilding these Sound Shore communities can now begin.

"Getting federal aid flowing quickly to Sound Shore residents and businesses is exactly what we need in the short term. Helping residents and businesses to get back on their feet as soon as possible is the priority right now,” said Myers. “Grants and loans to rebuild are critical and I am pleased to see that FEMA appears to have a much improved, well-coordinated strategy for responding to claims quickly and efficiently. I encourage all individuals and businesses to take advantage of the opportunity they now have to be reimbursed for any flood-related losses they incurred. The claims process is straightforward and claims will be responded to within a short period of time.”

Myers suggested that people who need help with or who are confused about the claims process should feel free to call her office at (914) 995-2802.

Myers said two challenges remain, one immediate and the other more long range. Most immediately, the disaster designation currently does not include public facilities, including government buildings and schools. “FEMA is still reviewing damage to public facilities,” Myers said. “We’re hopeful they will soon be included in the federal aid program.”

Myers indicated that the other, bigger challenge will be to figure out, regionally, how to avoid this kind of flooding in the future. “We need to work out a long-term, regional strategy that will make the Sound Shore communities less vulnerable to such extensive flooding damage in the future,” Myers said.

FEMA has worked out specific instructions on how to make a claim (see attached). Myers encouraged everyone, including neighborhood associations and community groups, to spread the word about how to apply for aid. She noted that the County, through its Department of Social Services and through working with local non-profit charitable organizations, have pulled together and are also offering extensive help. (see list of local resources attached).

How to apply for federal disaster aid: Instructions from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)

To apply for aid, storm victims will need to take the following steps:

1) Contact your insurance company: If you are NOT covered for the storm damage by your insurance company, you may be eligible for federal aid. You will need to obtain a letter from your insurance company stating that you are not covered from damage from the storm.
2) Apply for FEMA aid: As part of the aid process, FEMA will set up Disaster Recovery Centers where victims may apply for aid or get information about disaster assistance programs. Those centers have not been designated yet, but information will be forthcoming. Residents can also register for aid online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) (hearing/speech impaired ONLY – call TTY: 1-800-462-7585)

In addition to having a pen and paper, please have the following information ready to give the person who takes your call:
? Your Social Security Number.
? A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster.
? Insurance Information.
? Directions to your damaged property.
? A telephone number where you can be contacted.

After you apply, here is what will happen:

Inspection: If an inspection is required to process your application, an inspector will contact you to make an appointment to visit your property and assess the damage about 10 days after you have applied for help.
Decision: Within about 10 days of the inspector’s visit, you will receive a letter from FEMA informing you of the decision on your request for help.

? If you are eligible for help, the letter will be followed by a U.S. Treasury/State Check or there will be a transfer of cash to your bank account. The letter will explain what the money can be used to pay for. You should use the money given to you as explained in the letter.

? If you are not eligible for help, the letter will give the reason for the decision. You will be informed of your appeal rights in the letter will from FEMA.

If you were referred to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for help from the SBA Disaster Program, you will receive a SBA application.

For the latest update, visit www.westchestergov.com or visit www.fema.gov for more information about applying for aid.