N.Y. Gov. Notes More than $2.5 Million Awarded in Disaster Relief to Residents

New York Gov. George Pataki announced that New York State has secured more than $2.5 million in federal funding to help more than 645 New Yorkers with expenses related to the severe storms and flooding in April.

The funds, which come jointly from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Other Needs Assistance program and the State will aid victims with serious disaster-related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance or other federal assistance programs.

“We are doing everything possible to help the victims of April’s floods get back on the road to recovery,” Gov. Pataki said. “The Other Needs Assistance program continues to provide much needed assistance to help local communities ease the hardships suffered by citizens and businesses across the state who were affected by these devastating storms.”

Disaster victims in the counties of Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Orange, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga, and Ulster who suffered damage and losses as a result of April’s spring storms and have registered for disaster assistance may use the Other Needs Assistance funds for:

* Repairing or replacing damaged and destroyed personal property NOT covered by insurance. This property may include clothing; household items such as furniture and appliances; specialized tools used for employment; and clean-up items;
* Repairing and/or replacing an individual’s primary means of transportation or for the increased cost of using public transportation;
* Moving and storage expenses;
* Medical expenses incurred as a direct result of the disaster; and
* Other disaster-related needs.