Dear Neighbor,
As our Hudson Valley recovers from Hurricane Sandy, please know that your Congressional District team and I have been working as hard as we can to help. We've been in constant touch with our local officials and emergency services, with the Governor's office, with FEMA, and with the region's utility companies to get our communities back on their feet as fast as possible. I've written multiple letters to President Obama to support each of Governor Cuomo's requests for pre-disaster emergency designation and for all the federal resources we can mobilize in the aftermath of the storm.
Our district offices are open to assist you. Please feel free to call us at (845) 206-4600, or visit the Hurricane Sandy Resource Center on our website for continuously updated information, including dry ice distribution locations.
With my support of Governor Cuomo’s request, yesterday Westchester and Rockland Counties were added to the Major Disaster Declaration. If you own a home or business in Westchester or Rockland and your property sustained significant damage, you may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance. You can apply online at fema.gov, and if you visit the Hurricane Sandy Resource Center on our website you'll find helpful information to help you navigate the process.
The prolonged and widespread power outages in the aftermath of Sandy have caused not only inconvenience, but real hardship for thousands of Hudson Valley families. I've visited many warming centers, spoken with local officials, and made calls to the heads of our utility companies to address pressing needs in our communities. I also joined the Governor's team in successfully calling on the Coast Guard to allow shipments of gasoline to resume on the Hudson River.
Today there's been some welcome good news about progress in restoring power, making gasoline available, and mobilizing federal assistance for rebuilding after Sandy. Until we're 100% back, I'll keep doing all I can to speed recovery for our families, small businesses, and local governments. If you need to get in touch with me, please call me at (845) 206-4600, or send me a message at hayworth.house.gov.
Sincerely,
Nan Hayworth, M.D. (NY-19)
If you require emergency assistance, please call 911.
If you require shelter or other non-emergency assistance, please call these numbers:
Federal:
State:
Local:
If you've experienced a power and/or gas outage, please call:
NYSEG Power Outage (800) 572-1131 Gas Outage (800) 572-1121
How can I learn more about federal assistance? What federal assistance am I eligible for? And how do I apply?
Complete
this anonymous questionnaire to obtain the most accurate list of assistance programs for which you may be eligible. The following questions are directly related to disaster assistance. Please answer them to the best of your ability or skip if not applicable.
What should I know before filing an insurance claim?
Contact your insurance company representative as soon as possible.
Carefully document and take photographs/video of any and all damage.
Temporary or Immediate Repairs… You may make temporary or immediate repairs to prevent further damage. Save all receipts for any expenses incurred in making repairs. Do NOT make permanent repairs before contacting your insurance company. Check with the Better Business Bureau to check on contractors who may assist you with repairs.
Most homeowner insurance policies do NOT cover damage from flooding; however, flood damage may be covered by separate flood insurance policies.
Most homeowner policies DO provide coverage for damage resulting from wind.
Damage from fallen trees is typically covered and tree removal may also be covered.
Some homeowner insurance policies have higher deductibles for hurricane damage. Note that Irene was downgraded to a tropical storm before hitting New York, so hurricane deductibles may not apply.
Who should I contact if I have questions about filing an insurance claim?
If you have specific questions about your policy, contact your insurance company. A list of insurance company phone numbers is
available here. If you need further help or feel you are being treated unfairly, contact the New York Department of Insurance Disaster Hotline at 1-800-339-1759.
If you are in an area that is eligible for Individual Assistance under the federal Major Disaster Declaration, register immediately with FEMA at www.disasterassistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362.
What should I do if my VA benefits were affected by Hurricane Sandy?
If you have been displaced by Hurricane Sandy, you should change your contact address with VA. You can do this
within eBenefits, by contacting your closest
VA Regional Office, or calling 1-800-827-1000.
If you have a VA Guaranteed Home Loan and that home received storm damage, you should read this fact sheet. The fact sheet also contains information for mortgage lenders and servicers regarding loans for homes guaranteed by VA that might have been damaged by Sandy.
If you receive monthly payments from VA, such as disability compensation, GI Bill living stipend, or others, you should experience no delay in payment if you receive an electronic funds transfer (EFT). Benefits due on November 1 were distributed as normal and should be available to you.
If you are in an impacted area and receive a monthly paper check through the mail, there is a possibility your check could be delayed or undeliverable as a result of storm damage. If you have not yet received a scheduled payment, call our toll-free number: 1-800-827-1000. Additionally, if you are experiencing financial hardship, you can visit a VA Regional Office and obtain a replacement check. However, please call our toll-free number and speak with a call agent before visiting a regional office.
It’s important to remember that obtaining a replacement check can result in a duplicate payment. If you receive a replacement check and then later receive your original check, you should return the original to the U.S. Treasury. Not returning the check could result in non-payment of benefits the following month.
If you aren’t sure how Hurricane Sandy may have affected the delivery of your check, call the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) for the latest information on post office services. Customers can also get the latest post office service information on the web.
Many local Veterans Service Organizations also offer assistance to Veterans in need. Contact local offices of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America.
What should I do after Hurricane Sandy?
Continue listening to a NOAA Weather Radio or the local news for the latest updates.
Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the hurricane or tropical storm has ended.
If you have become separated from your family, use your family communications plan or contact FEMA or the American Red Cross.
FEMA has established the
National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System (NEFRLS), which has been developed to help reunite families who are separated during a disaster. The NEFRLS system will enable displaced individuals the ability to enter personal information into a website database so that they can be located by others during a disaster.
The
American Red Cross also maintains a database to help you find family. Contact the local American Red Cross chapter where you are staying for information. Do not contact the chapter in the disaster area.
If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.
If you cannot return home and have immediate housing needs. Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area (example: shelter 12345).
Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed¬ out bridges. Stay off the streets. If you must go out watch for fallen objects; downed electrical wires; and weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.
Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company.
Walk carefully around the outside your home and check for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage before entering.
Stay out of any building if you smell gas, floodwaters remain around the building or your home was damaged by fire and the authorities have not declared it safe.
Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance purposes. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.
Use battery-powered flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles. Note: The flashlight should be turned on outside before entering - the battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.
Watch your pets closely and keep them under your direct control. Watch out for wild animals, especially poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.
Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it’s not contaminated.
Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.
Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.
Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off.
Will my polling place change because of Hurricane Sandy?
There are no polling place changes in Westchester, Dutchess or Putnam County.
There are no polling place changes in the current 19th Congressional District portion of Rockland County.
There are three polling place changes in Orange County. Voters who vote at the Pine Tree Elementary School Districts 8 & 21 in Monroe will vote at The Monroe Senior Center, 105 Mine Rd., Monroe NY. Voters who vote at the Sanfordville Elementary School, District 17 & 30 in Town of Warwick will vote at Warwick Middle School, 225 West St., Warwick NY. Voters who normally vote at the Greenwood Lake Elks Lodge, Warwick Districts 10, 11, 14, 18, 19 & 25 will now vote at Greenwood Lake Fire House, 51 Waterstone Dr., Greenwood Lake NY. Note: Parking in the municipal parking lot behind the fire department building.
News and Updates:
Newburgh-Beacon Ferry Resumes Service this AM
Rep. Hayworth Letter to Pres. Obama Requesting Amendment to Major Disaster Declaration
