New Hyde Park is home to Nassau County’s lone Disaster Recovery Center for those who were affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida.
The site is located at the Michael J. Tully Park Physical Activity Center at 1801 Evergreen Ave., and will have recovery specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration to assist anyone in need.
People who qualify for President Joe Biden’s disaster declaration, signed Sept. 5, are eligible to receive assistance.
In a statement last Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul said: “Homeowners, renters and business owners on Long Island who were victims of flooding and storm-related damages can now visit these sites in-person and access numerous resources at the state and federal level to help them recover and rebuild.”
She continued, “I am grateful for the support of FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and her team on the ground who continue to work with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to get these critical Disaster Recovery Centers open and begin the recovery process for survivors.”
According to the National Weather Service, total rainfall between approximately two and nine inches fell across Nassau County on Sept. 1 and 2. The storm caused numerous delays in transportation as well as damage to homes.
Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth told Newsday that the three inches of rain that fell in various communities was more than the town’s drainage system was designed to handle.
“There were reports of people having to go to the roof of their car to be safe,” Bosworth told Newsday. “Cars were, I think, actually floating. So it was deep … Here in the town, the North Shore communities really got hit.”
Nassau and Suffolk counties were later added to the president’s declaration, which makes federal funding available to those who need it, joining Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond and Westchester County.
Suffolk County’s Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Rose Caracappa Senior Center, 739 Route 25A, Mount Sinai.
The Long Island centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.
Residents can apply for disaster aid by either visiting www.disasterassistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app, or calling 800-621-FEMA.
