New Information includes: Revised Adult Immunization Schedule at Disaster Recovery and Assistance Centers; Health Department Guidelines & Tips for Re-entering Your Home after Sandy; Suffolk County Water Update; Mental Health Needs; FEMA STEP Program, Labor Department.
Please note the free children's vaccination clinics scheduled for next week in Bay Shore, Holbrook and Middle Island.
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.
For information and resources call the Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management Hotline(631) 852-4900 from 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m. (NEW)
Department of Social Services
During the two weeks since the storm, Suffolk County, in cooperation with the Red Cross and FEMA, has ensured that no one in Suffolk County has to go homeless. Because, the Red Cross provides disaster relief, anyone who has lost housing due to Hurricane Sandy should call the Red Cross at 1 (877) 733-2767. For those who have lost housing, for any other reason, please go directly to your social services office or call 631-854-9100 after 4:30PM.
Suffolk Department of Health Services Tips on Re-entering Homes (NEW)
As residents re-enter homes damaged by the storm, it is important to exercise caution upon re-entering. Please see attached brochure for tips on re-entering your home.
Special Note: If you smell natural gas call 911 from a safe location and wait until authorities allow you to enter.
Mental Health Needs (NEW)
Those residents who are feeling undue stress or anxiety as a result of Tropical Storm Sandy should be aware that there are resources available to them. They are encouraged to seek out personnel representing the Suffolk County Department of Health Services and/or the New York State Office of Mental Health at the FEMA centers. These persons will direct them to the appropriate resources. Alternatively, they may call 853-8500.
Suffolk County Water Authority Update (NEW)
The Suffolk County Water Authority suggests its customers, particularly those who expect to have their power and heat off for an extended period of time in the aftermath of Sandy, contact SCWA and have their water turned off temporarily to prevent pipes from freezing. All water restoration fees will be waived for SCWA customers who call between today and December 1 to have their water turned off, irrespective of when they turn their water back on. Call the SCWA Customer Service call center at (631) 698-9500. According to SCWA, homeowners turning off water need to make arrangements to have their pipes and fixtures drained to prevent them from being damaged by any remaining water in the pipes freezing.
Suffolk County Labor Department (NEW)
WORKERS NEEDED
The United States Department of Labor has awarded the New York State Department of Labor and the Suffolk County Department of Labor a grant to hire temporary workers to assist in recovery of damages caused by Hurricane Sandy.
If you are a worker who temporarily or permanently lost your employment due to Hurricane Sandy, are unemployed, or a dislocated worker, you may be eligible.
Duties may include Debris Removal / Roadway Clearing, Buildings/Grounds Clean Up, and other projects as required.
The salary is $14.89 per hour, 35 hours per week, and the work may last up to 12 weeks.
Call 631-853-6600 and visit the One-Stop Employment Center in Hauppauge to apply. Bring two forms of identification.
Suffolk Health Dispensing Vaccine at Disaster Recovery Centers
Suffolk County Health Services personnel are dispensing ADULT influenza and tetanus vaccine at each of the five Disaster Assistance Recovery Centers located in Suffolk County. See schedule in FEMA section below. Tetanus vaccination is recommended for those residents who have been exposed to flood waters and debris and who have not received a tetanus vaccine in the last 10 years.
Children Immunization Clinics
Immunization clinics for CHILDREN are available free of charge through Suffolk County Department of Health Services' Shots for Tots program as
follows:
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Longwood Public Library
800 Middle Country Road
Middle Island, New York 11953
3:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Sachem Library
150 Holbrook Road
Holbrook, New York 11741
3:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
9 Clinton Ave. & Main St.
Bay Shore, NY 11706
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Please bring your child’s immunization record with you.
American Red Cross Food Distribution Centers
Open Thursday, 11/16 from 11:00-1:00pm and 4:00pm-6:00pm (NEW DATE)
Mastic Beach Nutrition Center, 369 Neighborhood Rd., Mastic Beach, NY 11951
FEMA (NEW)
FEMA recently announced that it is implementing the STEP Program (Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power Pilot Program). FEMA is administering this program. Please call 800-621-3362 for any information on this program.
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 FEMA Disaster Assistance Recovery Centers are 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. & run seven days a week.
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 and State departments providing services to disaster survivors, including County representatives from the offices of the Departments of Health, Economic Development, Labor, Social Services, and Transitional Housing.
Vaccination Clinic Hours listed below for each of the Disaster Recovery Centers are for tomorrow, Friday, November 16th only. Please note, hours have changed for all locations except Islip Town Annex.
H. Lee Dennison – 100 Vet’s Highway, Hauppauge
SC Vaccine Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 5:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
Islip Town Annex – 400 Main Street, Islip
SC Vaccine Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. & 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Lindenhurst Public Library – 1 Lee Street, Lindenhurst
SC Vaccine Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00p.m.
Mastic Rec Center – 15 Herkimer St, Mastic
SC Vaccine Hours: / 9:00 a.m. - 2:00p.m. & 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Suffolk County Center – 300 Center Drive, Riverhead
SC Vaccine Hours: / 1:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
EPA, State & County: 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:
- Venetian Shores Park, 801 Granada Parkway, Lindenhurst, NY
- Islip Multipurpose Recycling Facility, 1155 Lincoln Avenue, Holbrook, NY
- Wastewater Treatment Plant, 1 Hammond Street, Patchogue, NY
- Highway Barn, 1177 Osborn Road, Riverhead, NY (*begins Tues., Nov. 13*)
Important FEMA Information re: Denials
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 smart phone, 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.
Suffolk County Businesses
Provide Emergency Sales Tax Relief to Small Businesses for Super Storm Sandy Reconstruction Efforts
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Suffolk County IDA announced an emergency sales tax relief program to ease the costs of reconstructing Suffolk County's small businesses.
The program provides relief from state and local sales tax on building materials such as windows, sheet rock, flooring and electrical as well as on equipment a business needs to replace that was damaged by the storm.
The program will provide sales tax relief for purchase of building materials and for the repurchase of equipment of up to $100,000 in purchase costs. There will be 200 businesses eligible for the program. A business must have 25 or fewer full-time employees to participate.
When a small business owner takes advantage of the IDA's relief program, the agency will facilitate discussions between them and the Town they operate in. The Town will be able to communicate directly with the business to determine if there are any issues they can develop solutions for.
Small business owners who have had their place of business damaged by Super Storm Sandy are urged to fill out a relief form at www.SuffolkIDA.org. Questions are asked to be directed to 631-853-4802 or email them to: info@suffolkida.org.
Suffolk County Small Business Assistance Resource Centers
Suffolk County, through its Departments of Economic Development/Planning and Labor, is offering access to computers, printers and fax machines for businesses that need access to office equipment in the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy.
Locations:
SC Department of Labor-725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY-Monday-Friday-8:30am-4:00pm
SC Department of Labor-300 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY-Monday-Friday-8:30am-4:00pm
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.
###