'Major disaster' declaration issued

The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency announced on Oct. 24 that federal disaster aid has been made available for the State of New York to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding during the period of Oct. 12-13 and continuing.

FEMA Director David Paulison said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by President Bush. The president's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Orleans.

The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding.

The agency said that residents and business owners who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA( 3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.