Disaster
News

Joint Information Center
Disaster Field Office
Albany, New York 12226


June 20, 2007
NR 063 - 1692 DR-NY
EMA NEWS DESK - 518-454-4503
SEMO - Dennis Michalski - 518-292-2310
SBA - Michael Lampton - 404-347-3771

NY DISASTER RECOVERY AND PREPAREDNESS CONTACT INFORMATION FOR FEDERAL AND STATE SOURCES

ALBANY, N.Y. - New Yorkers have several federal and state organizations to turn to for disaster-related questions after the devastation that the April nor'easter brought to 14 counties.

While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the contact for disaster assistance registration, there are several New York State departments and other federal agencies offering information on disaster-related topics such as flood insurance, disaster preparedness, environmental concerns, consumer affairs, and health, fraud or labor-related issues.
The following is a list of federal and state organizations and contact information:

For Flood Insurance information - · · · · ·
Your local insurance agent
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): 1-888-379-9531; TTY - 1-800-427-5593; Web site: www.FloodSmart.gov; E-mail: floodsmart@dhs.gov
New York State Insurance Department, Consumer Services Bureau: 1-800-342-3736; Fax: 212-480-4735
Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform (Building Department): 518-486-3292; Web site: www.gorr.state.ny.us
New York State Department of Conservation: 518-402-8013; E-mail: dpaeweb@gw.dec.state.ny.us
New York State Department of Conservation Floodplain Division: 518-402-8151; E-mail: dowinfo@qw.dec.state.ny.us

To report Fraud, Waste and Abuse -
U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General hotline: 1-800-323-8603; Fax: 202-254-4292; E-mail: dhsoighotline@dhs.gov
New York State Attorney General Information and Complaint helpline: 1-800-771-7755
New York State Consumer Protection Board helpline: 1-800-697-1220; Web site: www.nysconsumer.gov

For Disaster Preparedness -
Federal Emergency Management Agency: 1-800-621-FEMA ( 3362); Web sites: www.fema.gov, www.ready.gov
SBA Disaster Customer Service Center: 1-800-659-2955; TTY- 1-800-877-8339; E-mail: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov; Web site: www.sba.gov
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Natural Disasters and Weather Emergencies: Web site: http://epa.gov/naturalevents/
American Red Cross toll-free: 1-877-RED-CROS (733-2767); Web site: www.redcross.org
New York State Emergency Management Office Web site: www.semo.state.ny.us

For Health Issues (i.e. Mold) -
New York State Department of Health helpline: 1-866-881-2809 Web site: www.nyhealth.gov
County Health Departments: Web site: http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/lhu/map.htm

For Labor Issues -
U.S. Social Security Administration helpline: 1-800-772-1213
New York State Department of Labor: 1-800-HIRE (4473)-992; E-mail: nysdol@labor.state.ny.us; Web site: www.labor.state.ny.us

Other Issues -
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance: 1-800-343-8859; E-mail: nyspio@otda.state.ny.us
New York State Office of Aging, Senior Citizen helpline: 1-800-342-9871; E-mail: aging@aging.state.ny.us

On April 24, at the request of Gov. Eliot Spitzer, President George Bush declared a disaster in New York, resulting in individual assistance funding for seven New York counties - Albany, Dutchess, Orange, Richmond (Borough of Staten Island), Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester. More than $30 million in disaster assistance has been approved.

Those affected by the April flooding, who have not yet registered should call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, or register online at www.fema.gov. Online, be sure to use the name as it appears on the Social Security card. The deadline for registration is June 25.



FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.