CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. – There are two weeks left to register for the disaster assistance made available following the severe storms and flooding of August 8-10, recovery officials announced today.
The deadline is Tuesday, November 3, for residents of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Erie counties, according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO).
November 3 is also the deadline to submit disaster loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Residents and business owners in the three-county area who have yet to register should call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- and hearing-impaired. Lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Online registration is available any time at www.disasterassistance.gov.
“Anyone who suffered losses in the three-county area should register immediately,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Jaime E. Forero. “Registering with FEMA is the only way to become eligible for federal and state disaster assistance.”
“We encourage everyone affected by the August flooding to register,” said State Coordinating Officer John R. Gibb, who is also Director of SEMO. “Even if they have already received an insurance settlement, or have made repairs.”
So far, more than 1,400 western New Yorkers have registered for state and federal assistance in the three counties and assistance approved is more than $6.3 million. More than $2.3 million of that total is in low-interest disaster loans through the SBA.
Two Disaster Recovery Centers remain open weekdays from 9 a.m. 7 p.m. to provide face-to-face assistance to those affected by the flooding.
Chautauqua County DRC
Mt. Carmel School
165 Central Ave.
Silver Creek, NY 14136
Erie County DRC
Gowanda Fire Hall
230 Aldrich St.
Gowanda, NY 14070
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capabilities to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.
Under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program, temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.