Four Counties eligible for Millions in Federal Aid
By STEPHEN T. WATSON and ROBERT J. McCARTHY
News Staff Reporters
10/16/2006
The federal government declared Sunday that four Western New York counties are eligible to receive millions of dollars in emergency financial aid to help the area recover from last week's devastating snowstorm.
Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, R-Clarence, announced Sunday afternoon that $5 million in preliminary aid is on its way to help pay to clear debris and secure the "health and safety" of affected villages, towns and cities.
"We're still looking for emergency assistance in the long range, but we're able to achieve this immediate action," he said.
The federal emergency declaration ensures that area municipalities qualify to receive further reimbursement for debris removal and public-safety expenses generated by the storm.
But that designation has no effect on area homeowners, who must wait for a disaster declaration before they can apply for disaster assistance, a Federal Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman said Sunday.
Still, Reynolds and other officials said the emergency declaration and that initial pot of money are good first steps in the lengthy, complicated effort to obtain all the federal aid that the region deserves.
"We are hopeful we will see reimbursements as soon as humanly possible," Erie County Executive Joel A. Giambra said Sunday at the county's Emergency Operations Center in Cheektowaga.
The initial emergency declaration covers Erie, Niagara, Orleans and Genesee counties.
The declaration followed a formal request to federal authorities by the governor's office.
Officials in the White House and at the Department of Homeland Security worked quickly to get the request approved, Reynolds said.
But officials here acknowledged that the process they'll follow to obtain the full amount of emergency and disaster reimbursement money for this region is a long and complicated one.
Here's more information:
What's FEMA?
FEMA, part of the Department of Homeland Security since 2003, is the agency that handles the preparation for and response to hurricanes, tornadoes and other major incidents.
The agency received a black eye for its work in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, but Reynolds said FEMA capably helped New Yorkers cope with previous destructive snow and ice storms.
What does the emergency declaration mean?
The designation allows the federal government to cover 75 percent of the cost to municipalities for debris cleanup, protective actions and other immediate needs. The state and the local governments would cover the other 25 percent.
The municipalities must document their expenses, and requests for reimbursement will be funneled through the county to the state and then onto FEMA, Giambra said.
What about homeowners and companies here?
The state must request - and the federal government must approve - a second, disaster declaration before homeowners and other individuals would be eligible to receive any disaster reimbursement aid.
If that happens, what would be covered?
This disaster assistance would help compensate property owners for damage that's not covered by their insurance.
It can help pay for temporary housing, repairing or replacing a damaged home or other disaster-related expenses deemed necessary by FEMA.
How can individuals apply?
If the second disaster declaration occurs, individuals can apply by phone, in person or online. FEMA's Web site, www.fema.gov, has extensive advice under the heading "Apply for Assistance."
FEMA's disaster aid hotline is (800) 621-FEMA.
What can individuals do in the meantime?
Carefully document any damage and any costs incurred from the storm. This includes taking photographs and keeping receipts.
Also, don't wait too long before contacting an insurance company, because FEMA assistance is intended to cover what insurance does not.
How long will this take?
New York hasn't applied for the disaster declaration, so it's not clear if or when that designation will be made.
Assuming that happens, Reynolds and Giambra said Sunday that they don't know how long it would take FEMA to process applications for storm-reimbursement aid.
Can I trust someone who comes to my door saying he's a FEMA-approved contractor?
Giambra and Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard said anyone going door-to-door seeking work as a FEMA-approved contractor is a scam artist.
swatson@buffnews.com
rmccarthy@buffnews.com
