Financial help on the way for Long Island flooding victims. Here's what homeowners need to know.
SMITHTOWN, N.Y. -- More help is on the way for Suffolk County, New York residents impacted by this month's devastating storm on Long Island.
Smithtown announced two information sessions this week, along with information about Federal Emergency Management Agency resources.
President Joe Biden approved the federal emergency declaration for Suffolk County on Sunday, after Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the county. The president also approved a federal emergency declaration for parts of Connecticut.
The powerful storm dumped heavy rainfall on the area, causing severe flooding that damaged roads and breached two local dams.
Under a federal disaster, residents and businesses can apply for FEMA assistance, regardless of whether they have insurance.
Suffolk County homeowners can find more information on FEMA's website here.
Representatives from the Department of Financial Services will be available in-person from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 28 at Stony Brook University's Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) in Room 343.
New York state planning to offer home repair grant program.
The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal will offer a home repair grant program, which will provide funds for income-eligible homeowners who do not receive enough money from insurance or other disaster recovery funds to make repairs to homes that have been deemed inhabitable due to storm damage.
Applications are not yet available, but impacted homeowners can fill out an inquiry form to express interest in the meantime. That information can be found at hcr.ny.gov/long-island-storm.
Homeowners are encouraged to report damage and share photos online here.
What to know about flood insurance
Flood damage is typically only covered by specific flood insurance, which is a federal program run by FEMA.
Homeowners who have flood insurance should file claims with that insurance. Be sure to read policies carefully to understand what is covered and under what circumstances.
For additional questions about flood insurance, visit the DFS website's Flood Insurance Resource Center. You can also contact FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at 800-621-3362 or www.floodsmart.gov.
Other tips for dealing with a disaster
Smithtown officials shared the following tips for the aftermath of the storm.
- File claims promptly: Homeowners should file insurance claims as soon as possible, and take photos or videos showing the extent of the damage.
- Make necessary repairs: Homeowners should make only the necessary repairs, like covering broken windows. You should wait until insurers can inspect the damage before making permanent repairs.
- Keep records of insurance dealings: Homeowners should keep a record of their conversations with insurance representatives, including their names, as well as the dates and times of calls or visits. You should also follow-up in writing to document your understanding of the conversations.
- Inventory belongings: Homeowners should provide their insurer a detailed room-by-room inventory of damaged items and include receipts, like credit card statements, to show their value.
- Keep receipts if you relocate: If you need to relocate while your home is repaired, keep the receipts and other records of those expenses.
Homeowners who are unable to resolve disputes with their insurers may contact DFS to file a complaint.
Stony Brook homeowner says she's out $20,000 from storm damage
Stony Brook homeowner Deirdre McCool, who works from home, said she's out $20,000 after her home flooded. She did not have flood insurance.
"Have homeowner's [insurance] for over 30 years, but no flood insurance," she said.
Other families who spoke to CBS News New York were also blindsided by the record rainfall.
Families waited Tuesday to speak to two representatives from the Department of Financial Services at Stony Brook University.
"And this whole thing going on upstairs is just a waste of everybody's day. I just took an hour out of work to just be told to wait," McCool said.
McCool filled out a form so she can be notified to apply for the grant. For now, she said, she's on her own.
"Go into my savings to pay for this, borrow some. Because I can't wait for it. It's water damage. It stinks in the house," she said.
Gov. Kathy Hochul tours Suffolk County storm damage
"This has been the most extreme summer of extreme weather in the state's history," Hochul said.
Tuesday, the governor saw the damage at Mill Pond up close and spoke about the emergency repair program for Suffolk and Nassau counties.
"If you're not being reimbursed by insurance, you can apply for $50,000 to just start the cleanup," she said.
When asked how long it will take for money to be released, Hochul said, "There was a time they would've had to wait for all the FEMA work to be done, could've been six months. It is now days ... The applications in the next couple of days, and then will process and then will get out as soon as humanly possible."