The following are guidelines for the period following a flood: • Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink. • Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines. • Avoid moving water. • Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car. • Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company. • Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe. • Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters. • Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations. • Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards. • Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.
On May 25, 2006 President George W. Bush issued a federal disaster declaration for Essex, Middlesex, and Suffolk Counties in response to severe and extensive flooding in the region. He issued the federal disaster declaration in order to provide financial and logistical assistance to local officials, businesses, and residents affected by massive flooding in the area. Residents of these counties are now eligible for temporary housing benefits, Small Business Administration low-interest loans, and flood-related unemployment assistance. Grants are also available to cover needs and expenses not covered by insurance policies.
All those who have suffered property damage or loss resulting from storms and flooding since May 12th, 2006 are eligible to apply for these benefits. Those affected by this disaster may contact the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to apply for disaster assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) from 8:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time seven days a week. Residents who suffer from hearing and/or speech impairment may call TTY 1-800-462-7585. FEMA also allows on-line applications at the FEMA Website.
Those affected by the disaster may apply for assistance immediately by calling this toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362), from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, seven days a week. Those with speech and hearing impairment may call TTY 1-800-462-7585. You may also register on-line at FEMA Website.
When calling or registering online have the following information available: • Your current phone number; • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying; • Your Social Security number, if available; • A general list of damages and losses you suffered; • If insured, the name of your company or agent and your policy number; • General financial information; and • Bank account coding if you wish to speed up receiving your assistance with direct deposit”
INDIVIDUALS and HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM: Housing assistance to individuals and families whose permanent homes were damaged or destroyed by the flood. Types of aid include grants for temporary rental housing; essential repairs needed to make a residence safe, secure and sanitary; and to help meet serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other programs, such as medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage. Funds are also available for mitigation measures to help reduce future disaster damages.
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE: Weekly benefits to those individuals out of work due to the disaster, including self-employed persons, farm owners and others not usually covered under regular unemployment insurance. U.S. Small Business Administration Programs
HOME/PERSONAL PROPERTY DISASTER LOANS: Disaster loans to homeowners and renters for restoring or replacing underinsured or uninsured disaster-damaged real and personal property. (Available in declared counties.) BUSINESS DISASTER LOANS: Disaster loans to repair or replace destroyed or damaged business facilities, inventory, machinery, equipment, etc. not covered by insurance. (Available to large and small businesses in declared counties.) Loans also may be available only to small businesses for working capital to assist them during the disaster recovery period.”
Region I Mailing Address: Federal Emergency Management Agency 99 High Street 6th Floor Boston, MA 02110 Serving: • Connecticut • Maine • Massachusetts • New Hampshire • Rhode Island • Vermont
Disaster Assistance Employee Information Amy Corbiere Email:
Telephone: (617) 956-7556
David Knowles, Hydrologist E-Mail:
Telephone: (617) 956-7570
Dean Savramis, Civil Engineer E-Mail:
Telephone: (617) 956-7564
Freedom of Information Act Contact Marty Bahamonde E-Mail:
Telephone: (617) 956-7547
Media Contact Marty Bahamonde E-Mail:
Telephone: (617) 956-7547 National Flood Insurance Program Contacts Federal Emergency Management Agency Telephone: (617) 832-4761 / (617) 956-7559 FEMA 6th Floor 99 High Street Boston, MA 02110
Flood Insurance Information for Insurance and Lenders Tom Gann New England Regional Insurance Manager Bureau and Statistical Office Computer Sciences Corporation Telephone: (781) 848-1908 Fax: (781) 356-4142
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Flood Information 