Federal assistance may be available for cleaning and testing furnaces damaged by Tropical Storm Irene. Assistance may also be available to repair or replace the furnace if it is destroyed. Visit http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=58451

FEMA's "How Do I Apply For Disaster Assistance?" instructions
            (FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency)

Tips for applying to FEMA - http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Tips-for-applying-to-FEMA-2149399.php
source: Times Union

National Grid Emergency Economic Development Programs
National Grid’s Emergency Economic Development Program has been developed to provide timely economic development assistance to communities and customers who have been impacted by the devastating effects of the back-to-back natural disasters that have hit Upstate New York in Late Summer and Fall 2011. The goal of the program is to fill gaps in funding allocated to communities or businesses through federal and state programs, insurance or other emergency sources. Program funding is available to all disaster area counties but is targeted to those communities and businesses most impacted by the 2011 storms and flooding. The programs are also designed to encourage job retention in impacted communities; and to promote installation of energy efficient equipment and systems through National Grid’s portfolio of energy efficiency programs.

DisasterAssistance.gov

Disaster Recovery Center for Albany County Residents - FEMA officials strongly encourage individuals individuals to register before visiting the disaster recovery center by calling the FEMA registration line at 800-621-3362. Applicants can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or with any web-enabled mobile device or smartphone at m.fema.gov. Representatives from FEMA and State agencies as well as staff from the County Department of Social Services and Health Department will be available at the center to explain assistance programs and answer questions. Individuals are encouraged to go to the center to receive guidance about state disaster aid and help.

Federal Aid Programs for New York Disaster Recovery

SEMO - State Emergency Management Office - 1-800-621-3362

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Emergency Authorization for Emergency Actions in response to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee
This Authorization hereby allows emergency work to occur in navigable waters, streams and wetlands regulated under Environmental Conservation Law Article 15 and Article 24. The work hereby allowed must be immediately necessary to address an imminent threat to life, health, property, the general welfare and natural resources. All work carried out under this Authorization must be conducted in a minimally invasive manner, consistent with the goals of the restoration work. Non-critical work is not allowed by this Authorization.  All work must be undertaken in compliance with the conditions in the Authorization.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation General Permit for Repair of Damages Resulting from 2011 Storms
This application is to request authorization under the DEC General Permit for non-emergency cleanup and repair work in DEC Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 necessitated by the 2011 Storms.

Seniors should plan ahead to be ready for disasters - Senior citizens, especially those with medical issues and limited mobility, can be vulnerable in the event of a disaster. But even if you have physical limitations, you can still protect yourself by having a personal disaster plan in place.  Local, state and federal officials are urging all Americans, especially senior citizens, to review, update and rehearse their disaster plans. For more information, visit http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=58621

The link provides an interactive map of up to date data relative to road closures throughout the state. http://www.511ny.org/traffic.aspx

Targeted towards Vermont victims but contains good information: Watch Out For Fraud

Individual Assistance (for residences): Currently there are two FEMA representatives (Ken Aston and Phil Patterson) in the area going door to door to inform the community about the reimbursement program and aid them on how to make a claim. They have been given a point of contact for each municipality and suggested areas that may have been affected. If you know of any additional areas please advised them when they call you.

See below links to information on water wells. There are no specific guidance regarding funding for correcting individual water wells. It’s on a case by case basis.

Restoring Drinking Water Wells: nyhealth.gov/environmental/water/drinking/flooding/private_wells.htm

Sampling Drinking Water Wells: nyhealth.gov/environmental/water/drinking/flooding/private_well_sampling.htm

List of NYSDOH ELAP certified labs for water testing (alphabetical by county): www.wadsworth.org/labcert/elap/comm.html

Ways to help local victims

Red Cross web site with information on Hurricane Irene - http://www.redcross.org/

United Way 2-1-1 is the 3-digit number that anyone can use to obtain information and referrals about non-emergency health and human services in their 12-county Northeast region or visit www.211neny.org

How to help Irene's victims
source: Times Union

Irene's Aftermath: How to Donate
source: CBS6 Albany

What can you do to help?
source: YNN

NEWS10 Irene Relief Fund
source: News10

Resources for victims and How you can help the victims of Irene
source: News Channel 13

Hurricane Irene - with several links for ways to help
source: FOX23News

Mohawk Hudson Humane Society is full of pets displaced from their homes by Irene with some available for adoption; consider donating or adopting.  The Animal Protective Foundation of Schenectady County is accepting donations of cat and dog food, cat litter, and litter pans to help flood victims.

The Society, located at 3 Oakland Avenue in Menands, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Labor Day. Information is available at 434-8128 or www.mohawkhumane.org.

Post-Irene Price Gouging

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is warning New Yorkers to beware price gouging in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

The AG issued an open letter Tuesday, to vendors in areas affected by Hurricane Irene to warn against price gouging -- the inflation of the price of necessary goods and services.

General Business Law prohibits such increase in costs of essential items like food, water, gas, generators, batteries and flashlights, and services like transportation, during natural disasters or other events that disrupt the market.

The AG's Office tells Dori Marlin, Capital Region residents affected can file complaints online about potential price gouging activity at http://www.ag.ny.gov/online_forms/email_ag.jsp.

They may also call the Attorney General's Consumer Helpline at 800-771-7755.

The Red Cross is asking for blood donations. For more information visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Please visit our Emergency Management Office's web page

Labor for Your Neighbor

Governor Cuomo began a new program this weekend called "Labor for Your Neighbor," which encourages citizens to pitch in and help their fellow New Yorkers hit the hardest by Hurricane Irene.

The "Labor for Your Neighbor" program was created to build on the outpouring of support already expressed by New Yorkers and to stimulate even more neighbor-to-neighbor help on this long holiday weekend.

Through this program, individual New Yorkers can join Governor Cuomo and roll up their sleeves to help their neighbors take small steps toward recovery.

Click here for more information about the "Labor for Your Neighbor" program.