FEMA approves Ulster County for Individual Assistance

Good afternoon

Ulster County has been declared eligible for FEMA's Individual Assistance program - this will help families recover from the effects of Sandy. Individuals and families may apply on line at DisasterAssistance.gov or by telephone at (800) 621-3362. On Wednesday I will be meeting with FEMA officials about establishing a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) that will supply access to the various FEMA services available under this declaration. We will work to incorporate a Small Business Association presence at the DRC to assist the many businesses that sustained damages. I wish to emphasize there is no need to wait for a DRC to open - encourage your residents to apply on line or by telephone. I'd also like to recognize the hard work of the building inspectors and code enforcement officials that supplied us with the required information on very short notice.

 

With respect to the Public Assistance program - which helps municipalities recover the costs associated with their recovery efforts - we had a very successful preliminary damage assessment on Friday. We needed to meet a per capita threshold, and we did. Again, this is due to the work of our municipal officials in compiling damage costs. Because we did meet the per capita threshold, I anticipate that we will receive a PA declaration as well (although this may take a week or so to clear the administrative hurdles).

 

Thanks to all for your hard work. More information will follow as it becomes available.

Art