First dose of FEMA aid en route
by KIMBERLY M. KARCHER Clarence Editor

Stephen Kempf Jr., right, regional director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region II, outlines recovery procedures with Rep. Thomas Reynolds (R-Amherst) Monday morning at the utility staging area at Eastern Hills Mall.

Four counties, including Erie, Niagara, Genesee and Orleans have been declared in a state of emergency by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.

With that, comes the possibility of up to $5 million in federal aid to assist affected towns, cities and villages with cleanup costs in the aftermath of this weekend's storm, according to Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, R-Clarence.

Reynolds, along with FEMA's Regional Director Stephen Kempf, held several news conferences throughout the area on Monday.

Reynolds said the money would initially be used to clear debris and restore the infrastructure of damaged areas.

Residents who have incurred financial losses - replacement of spoiled food or the purchase of generators or chain saws - due to the storm may be eligible for reimbursement pending a declaration from the president citing a major disaster.

Kempf said FEMA is currently assessing the overall damage in all four counties and will send a report based on its findings to the president, who then would or would not issue the declaration.

Following that, residents will have the opportunity to apply for reimbursements via FEMA's hotline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or its Web site, www.fema. gov.

Kempf said there is a fairly good chance that the president will issue the declaration in the coming days.

Residents can then begin submitting applications for assistance. If the application is approved, reimbursement checks to the applicant can be issued in three to five days.

Kempf did note that reimbursement will be for damages that are not covered by insurance.

And when it comes to reimbursement for the purchase of items such as generators, there's a "50-50 chance" of getting money back, he said.

"Everything will have to go through an assessment," Kempf said. "It will depend on how the generators and such were used."

Kempf said all receipts should be kept, and residents should document when and for how long they used items such as chain saws and generators.

Residents who have left their powerless homes for hotels should also keep documents of their stay and bills.

"FEMA is ready to meet the needs of the residents," Kempf said.

Residents should also note that FEMA officials will not be going door to door to assess damages. If someone should approach a home claiming to be a FEMA representative, residents should lock the doors and call the proper authorities.

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