April 23, 2007

WESTCHESTER BEGINS REBUILDING PROCESS WHILE AWAITING FEMA AID
County Executive announces summit on long-term flooding solutions and charitable fund to aid victims
 

For more on the storm recovery, visit our website

Flanked by Sen. Hillary Clinton and FEMA Director R. David Paulison, County Executive Andy Spano said today that Westchester must work together to rebuild flooded areas damaged in last week’s storm and to look for long-term solutions to flooding and drainage problems.

“Right now it’s important that we get the money to put people’s lives back together,’’ said Spano who toured the storm damaged area with Clinton, Paulison and other officials. “Going forward we have to solve this problem. It’s not a problem that get’s solved in one day. It’s a problem that we are all going to have to get involved in.’’

Spano said that the county would be holding a summit in June to look at the best solutions proposed to deal with flooding, drainage and erosion problems and to work with the Army Corp of Engineers on projects that can be undertaken. He added that there must be better area-wide planning for development because flooding does not stop at municipal boundaries.

“I have one message today: Anybody who is high and dry right now could have been as wet or as devastated as anyone else,’’ said Spano. “This is everybody’s problem. Not just Mamaroneck’s or the Sound Shore’s.’’

Spano said that the county would take the lead in organizing relief efforts and coordinating charitable agencies that are collecting donations for flood victims. In addition, the county’s Department of Social Services will be in Mamaroneck on Monday, April 30 and Tuesday, May 1 at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church at 168 W. Boston Post Road between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to help families apply for emergency aid.

Martha Lopez, the county’s Hispanic Liaison, said the Hispanic Resource Center at the county’s request is opening its doors to help collect information from residents affected by the storm to help get them aid. Hours are listed below.  Lopez said her office is working with the following agencies to funnel donations to those in need.

Coordinating agency:

United Way of Larchmont & Mamaroneck
230 Larchmont Ave
Larchmont, NY 10538
834-7018

Organizations which provide financial assistance to flood victims:

Hispanic Resource Center – Emergency Fund
P.O. Box 312, Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543
835-1512
HOURS: M-F, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturdays 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Washingtonville Housing Alliance – Flood Relief Fund
136 Library Lane, Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543
698-4299

Assistance with Home Repairs:

Habitat for Humanity
529 Main Street
New Rochelle, NY 10801
636-8335

Organizations providing food and other necessities, such as clothing:

Community Action Program
Food Pantry
134 Center Avenue
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
698-7140

St Vito’s Church
816 Underhill Avenue
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
698-2648

St Thomas’s Church
168 W Boston Post Road.
Mamaroneck, NY 10543