Back in October, FEMA extended the deadline for registering for assistance after Tropical Storm Irene and the remnants of Lee. Federal officials wanted to make sure people had time to sign up. Our Beth Croughan tells us how many people have registered throughout the state and what is next in the process.
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NEW YORK STATE -- The images captured in Prattsville after Tropical Storm Irene are ones of damage, destruction and despair. Greene County is one of 28 throughout the state, declared a federal disaster area. And more than 10 are added after New York feels the remnants of Lee.
"Some duplication, because certain counties have been declared for both. Like Schoharie County," explained Peter Lembessis, the FEMA Public Information Officer.
That means aid is made available for home and business owners in the areas affected by the storms. But the time to apply for help has run out. Thursday the final day for registration.
Lembessis said the rough numbers are in and about 60,000 New Yorkers signed up.
"Over $149 million has been approved and distributed to survivors from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee," he said.
Janet Levinson received a small portion of that money. Her home sits along the Esopus Creek in Ulster County.
"I actually applied over the phone. And they sent me, I believe the first check was just $500 to $600 for emergency funds. And then they did send me some more funds for housing," she explained.
Levinson was ineligible for more because she has flood insurance.
"Well there was three-and-a-half feet of water in the living room," she described of just some of the damage.
While she works to get back in her home, FEMA works to get those who qualify into trailers.
"We have 147 units in the process," said Lembessis.
Although the deadline arrived for home and business owners to apply for help, Lembessis said FEMA will stay in the state to work with towns and cities.
For more information and to register, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 or go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.