June 21, 2007

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding New Yorkers that they have just a few days to submit disaster loan applications for damage caused by severe storms and flooding April 14 - 18, 2007. Also, as of Thursday, June 21, the Disaster Loan Outreach Centers located in Eastchester and New Rochelle will close.  

The deadline to file an application for physical damage is June 25. Homeowners, renters, non-profit organizations and businesses that sustained physical damage in the declared counties of Albany, Dutchess, Orange, Richmond, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester in the State of New York are eligible to apply. 

With 85 percent of registered disaster victims failing to return their applications, SBA urges anyone who needs assistance to apply.  Those who do not return their SBA application may not be referred to another federal agency for possible grant assistance.  Anyone with disaster related damages should register first with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA, then complete and return the SBA loan application. 

“SBA is here to help you with your recovery efforts.  We encourage anyone who has not completed their disaster loan application to do so as soon as possible,” said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operation Center East.  SBA encourages disaster victims to visit any of the Centers located throughout the disaster area before the June 25 deadline to obtain one-on-one assistance.

SBA offers loans up to $200,000 to repair disaster damaged primary residences. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to replace personal property such as furniture, appliances and clothing. Loans to businesses of all sizes and non-profit organizations are available up to $1.5 million to repair damage to real estate, machinery, inventory and equipment. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are also available to small businesses unable to pay bills or meet operating expenses because of the disaster.

Interest rates can be as low as 2.875 percent for homeowners and renters and 4.000 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based upon each applicant’s financial condition.

Disaster victims may obtain an application  by calling the SBA’s Customer Service at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. EDT.  Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.  Completed applications should be returned to one of the Centers or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX. 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical damage is June 25, 2007.  The filing deadline to return economic injury applications is January 24, 2008.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) arrived in Westchester in May to work with Westchester County government to help local residents apply for federal aid to recover from the storm.

FEMA's arrival comes in the afermath of the April 24 announcement that President Bush declared Westchester County as a federal disaster area following the April 15 Nor'easter that hit our area. On May 3, FEMA extended that designation to include public entities such as schools, municipal governments and some non-profits. Eligible entities can get 75 percent of the cost of storm expenses reimbursed by FEMA. Gov. Eliot Spitzer announced May 4 that the state in an unprecedented move would pick up the cost for local governments. Traditionally the 25 percent not paid by FEMA is split between the state and locals. Spitzer said the state would pick up the enitre cost.

Current news and information will be posted as it becomes available. For information on how to donate to charitable organizations or where to receive goods if you are a storm victim, call the United Way’s 211 information line.

Individuals and businesses that are in need of aid are being encouraged to apply for aid on-line or by phone. To register with FEMA, call 800.621.FEMA (800.621.3362) (hearing/speech impaired only — call TTY: 800.462.7585) between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or go to FEMA’s Web site.  If you need additional help, you can visit the Disaster Recovery Center in your area, but you do not have to go to a center to apply for aid. 

To register 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 saying you are not covered for damage from the storm.

2. Register for FEMA aid: To receive any aid, you must take this first step and register for aid. Go to their Web site or call 800.621.FEMA (800.621.3362) (hearing/speech impaired only — call TTY: 800.462.7585) between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You may have to wait when you call, so you may want to try early in the morning or late in the evening,  but make sure you keep trying and register.

In addition to having a pen and paper, please have the following information ready to give to 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 registering you will receive a packet and a loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The loan application must be filled out by everyone regardless of whether you are a homeowner, renter or business and even if you are applying for a grant and not a loan. The loan application is the first step in the process to decide eligibility for any type of aid.  Individuals are eligible for up to $28,200 in grants or up to $200,000 in small business loans to repair property and up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property such as belongings. Businesses are eligible for up to $1.5 million in loans.

Inspection:  Once registered, you will receive a case number and within 7 to 10 days you will receive a call to make an appointment to have your property inspected. It is important to ask for the inspectors name, time or visit and other information that will help you to verify the identity of the inspector when he or she visits. Please remember to ask for identification to avoid potential for fraud. 

Decision. Shortly after the inspector’s visit, you will receive a letter from FEMA informing you of the decision on your request for assistance.

• 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.
• If you are not eligible for help, the FEMA letter will give the reason for the deci¬sion. You will be informed of your appeal rights.

Westchester County’s Health Department is also reaching out to help restaurants, many which were badly damaged, register for FEMA aid. The county’s Health Department has been working to inspect restaurants to make sure they meet health standards since much of their food and equipment was destroyed by the flood waters. More than 115 food service establishments were inspected. Many still remain closed and may not reopen.

Emergency Services has been working with local governments, police and fire departments, school districts, state and federal officials as well as Con Edison, the Red Cross and others to help the county recover from the historic floods. Emergency Services has organized conference calls to keep local, state and federal officials up to date.

Many county departments have been involved including  emergency services, public safety, health, communications, public works, transportation, parks and Information Technology. In addition, through mutual aid agreements, fire safety teams from throughout the state. Currently there are 20 such teams; at the height of the storm, there were 40.

Residents and small businesses who have had their power turned off by Con Ed for safety reasons due to floods must get their property certified as safe before power can be turned back on.

As information develops, the county will post updates, and will continue to use its many resources to communicate with local governments and the public what residents should do if they have lost power. Information will be provided in English and Spanish.

In addition, the he Health Department has posted information about clean ups and safety. Here are some important things:

• Throw away food that has come in contact with flood waters. Some canned foods may be salvageable. If the cans are dented or damaged, throw them away. Food contaminated by flood waters can cause severe infections.
• If the power is out for less than 2 hours, then the food in your  refrigerator and freezer will be safe to consume. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold for longer. If the power is out for longer than 2 hours, follow the Health Department guidelines.
• If your house is flooded, call your local municipality to ask if they are able to assist with pumping out the flood water. This is particularly important if there is evidence of raw sewage or oil in the flood water so that heavily contaminated flood waters are not pumped into the streets and storm drains.

After flood water has been pumped out or receded, follow the guidelines listed below:

• Assume anything in contact with sewage is contaminated.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Discard items that cannot be disinfected and disinfect salvageable items in contact with sewage — a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water is a good disinfectant.
• Wear gloves and take extra precautions if you have cuts or sores.
• Wear waterproof rubber boots to keep feet dry.
• Keep children and animals out of the affected area.