Suffolk County Update 11/12/2012 6:00p.m.

Suffolk County Update

11/12/2012

6:00p.m.

NEWEST INFORMATION: (See full descriptions below)

· American Red Cross Number to Call for Emergency Housing Assistance

· Disaster Recovery Centers /Mobile Unit Hours Scheduled Huntington (Tonight) & Patchogue

· Suffolk County Health Services Dispensing Vaccine at Disaster Recovery Centers! See schedule.

· FEMA Information on Initial Denial Letters; Clarification of Rental Subsidy

· Suffolk Health Dept. Advisories: Preventing Spread of Germs, CO, Fire Prevention & Mold

American Red Cross Number to Call for Emergency Housing Assistance

Those needing emergency housing can seek assistance and placement through SCDSS representatives at any of the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) (see list below), or by calling 1 (877) 733 – 2767.

American Red Cross Food Distribution Centers

Open Tuesday, 11/13 from 11:00am – 4:00pm

Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Hwy., Lindenhurst, NY 11757

Mastic Beach Nutrition Center, 369 Neighborhood Rd., Mastic Beach, NY 11951

H. Lee Dennison Building, 100 Veterans Memorial Hwy. Hauppauge NY, 11788

Riverhead County Center, 300 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901

FEMA

In an effort to provide easy access to a variety of local and federal benefits and services, County Executive Bellone has established five fixed based emergency Disaster Recovery Centers and a mobile unit in collaboration with FEMA where residents can go for information about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs. See current locations below. Hours of all fixed based FEMA Disaster Assistance Recovery Centers are 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. & run seven days a week. Mobile units change; see schedule below.

FEMA representatives are on hand to assist residents in filling out FEMA applications, answer any questions and provide lists of resources. Additionally, there are also Small Business representatives, as well as representatives of other County departments providing services to disaster survivors.

H. Lee Dennison – 100 Vet’s Highway, Hauppauge

Vaccine Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Islip Town Annex – 400 Main Street, Islip

Vaccine Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Lindenhurst Public Library – 1 Lee Street, Lindenhurst

Vaccine Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Mastic Rec Center – 15 Herkimer St, Mastic

Vaccine Hours: / 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Suffolk County Center – 300 Center Drive, Riverhead

Vaccine Hours: / 4:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Mobile Disaster Recovery Unit Upcoming Schedule

Huntington Town Hall

100 Main Street, Huntington, NY

Monday, November 12, until 8:00 p.m. TONIGHT ONLY.

Patchogue Recreation Center

380 Bay Avenue, Patchogue, NY

Tuesday, November 13, Opens 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 14. 9:00 a.m. – 9 p.m.

EPA, State & County to Launch

Household Hazardous Waste Pickup & Drop-Off in Suffolk County

Contact: John Martin (646) 592 – 1425, martin.johnj@epa.gov

Elias Rodriguez (732) 672 – 5520, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Suffolk County will collect and properly dispose of potentially hazardous common household products from flood-damaged homes in Suffolk County. Beginning on Nov. 12, people in affected homes may bring household products, including solvents, paints, cleaners, oil, propane tanks, batteries, petroleum products, weed/bug killers, car batteries, bleach and ammonia, to one of four drop-off locations. In addition, starting on Nov. 12, residents of surrounding towns can put waste products on the curb for pickup. The drop-off and pickup locations are listed below:

FEMA Increases Rental Assistance Subsidy

As part of the effort to ensure that families and individuals get the support they need, FEMA has increased the amount of rental assistance that it may provide to eligible disaster survivors in New York and New Jersey, including Suffolk County. Rental support, previously based on existing HUD Fair Market Rates (FMR) for fiscal year 2013 has been increased 25 percent. This increased rental subsidy is expected to make additional rental resources in affected areas available for temporary housing for disaster effected families.

Here are the HUD FMR for fiscal year 2013, which are based on family size, along with the increases as per 25% increase announced by FEMA.

1 bedroom: $1,285 increased up to $1,606

2 bedroom: $1,583 increased up to $1,978

3 bedroom: $2,058 increased up to $2,572

4 bedroom: $2,370 increased up to $2,962

CLARIFICATION: The 125% increase is not applied until the applicant recertifies for rental assistance (i.e. after the first or second month). For new applicants, they will receive rental assistance under the standard FMR rate, and when they recertify, they will then receive the increase.

Important FEMA Information to Note

Residents who applied for assistance to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA) may have received letters from FEMA stating their application has been denied.

The denial letters are based on information given at the time of application or inspection and may not be the final decision. The main reasons why residents may receive a denial letter are either the home sustained insufficient damage or the home had insurance.

Applicants may not be eligible for housing assistance simply because, at the time of inspection, more information was needed. Applicants need not be discouraged. The denial letter is not the final word. Also, more than one form of housing assistance may still be available.

In any case, if the applicant does not agree with the decision, they have the right to appeal within 60 days of the denial letter, explain in writing why they disagree with FEMA’s decision and provide any new or additional information and documents supporting their appeal.

The Helpline is the same number you used to register: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). If you were denied assistance, because you were insured, consider calling FEMA after your insurance claim is settled.

By law, FEMA cannot duplicate what insurance already covers, or pay deductibles. However, in some cases, they may be able to help, up to the extent of program limits. The only way to know is to register at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). If you receive a letter from FEMA stating that a claim for federal assistance has been deemed ineligible because of insurance you should contact your insurance agent and request a settlement letter.

Questions regarding flood insurance policies are handled through the National Flood Insurance Program Helpline at 1-800-638-6620.

Regardless of the status of the denial letter for Housing Assistance, applicants may still be eligible for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and other state and federal programs including disaster unemployment assistance, legal aid, crisis counseling, USDA food stamp assistance, USDA rural housing and veteran assistance.

1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

What Information Do I Need to Apply?

Whether applying online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov from your computer or smartphone, or over the phone through a FEMA call center, you should have a pen and paper and the following information ready:

· Your Social Security number

· Current and pre-disaster address

· A telephone number where you can be contacted

· Insurance information

· Total household annual income

· A routing and account number from your bank (only necessary if you want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account) your bank routing number is located on the lower left side of your bank checks immediately before your account number.

· A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster

After you've completed your application for assistance, you will be given a FEMA application number. Write down this number and keep it for future reference.

PLEASE SHARE THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE: In order to be eligible for FEMA Rental Assistance you must answer “yes” to when asked if you want to relocate. Note, relocation can be many things, including placing a trailer on your own property for temporary housing.

Health Advisories Update from Suffolk Department of Health Services

Simple Preventive Measures to Stop the Spread of Germs; Rid Home of Mold; Prevent Fire

Commissioner of Health Services Dr. Tomarken also recommends that those residents who have been displaced from their homes and are living in close proximity elsewhere, and who may not be able to receive immunizations from their normal providers, protect themselves from influenza by receiving the flu immunization.

Residents are reminded that they can stop the spread of germs by following some simple preventive steps:

• Cover your mouth & nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; put used tissue in the waste basket.
• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
• Wash hands often with soap and warm water (or an alcohol-based hand rub) for 20 seconds.
• Wear a facemask.

Attached is a one-page depiction of these guidelines. Health officials encourage officials involved in disaster recovery efforts to post these guidelines widely.

Rid Home of Mold

Residents who have moved back into homes that have been flooded will need to rid their homes of mold, which can make them sick. Things that stayed wet for two days will have mold growing on them, even if you can’t see it.

Health officials advise that you throw out items made of cloth, unless you can wash them in hot water. Also remove items that can’t be cleaned easily (leather, paper, wood and carpet).

Use bleach to clean mold off hard surfaces and objects such as floors, stoves, sinks, toys, counter tops, plates & tools.

Follow these steps:

· Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.

· Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, goggles, and N-95 mask.

· Open windows and doors to get fresh air when or use bleach.

· Mix no more than one cup of bleach in one gallon of water

· Wash the item with the bleach and water mixture.

· If the surface of the item is rough, scrub the surface with a stiff brush.

· Rinse the item with clean water.

· Dry the item or leave it out to dry.

Fire Prevention

Home heating stoves and heaters cause more than 20,000 fires a year. Take caution when using electric space heaters, kerosene heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces and be sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors work.

Carbon Monoxide Warning

Power outages have prompted people to use devices that produce carbon monoxide (CO), an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that is highly poisonous. If not handled correctly, devices of this kind can lead to (CO) exposure and serious illness and even death.

Be cautious when using generators or indoor heating devices. ALWAYS locate the unit outdoors on a dry surface, away from doors, windows, vents and air conditioning equipment that could allow CO to come indoors.

NEVER use a generator indoors, including in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, or other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation.

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