Don't Wait to Apply to FEMA if You Live in East Lyme, Old Lyme, and Lyme

Gov. Dannel Malloy opened Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance centers in Old Saybrook and Groton yesterday to help local residents seeking federal aid in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. 

Before you go, though, you need to first register with FEMA. You can register by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. or online at www.disasterassistance.gov.  

If you are not seeking FEMA assistance but your property or business was damaged by Hurricane Sandy, the towns of East Lyme, Old Lyme, and Lyme are asking that you please still register with FEMA.

The towns of East Lyme and Old Lyme, which sustained the most damage to infrastructure and spent considerable money assisting residents during and after the storm, will likely be applying for federal assistance and how much each town will receive will depend upon the total amount of damage sustained.

All three towns will have FEMA applications available at town hall if you want to pick one up. 

Old Lyme officials are asking people to also fill out a preliminary damage report for the Old Lyme Office of Emergency Management. (The form is available online at the town web site and at Town Hall. This provides essential storm documentation for the town). 

As you go about repairing the damage done by the storm, don't forget to document it first. Take photos for insurance purposes and keep all receipts. Don't wait to make any temporary repairs you need to shore up your property, however, because there's another storm predicted to hit our area later this week. 

If you need help with your insurance claim, please call the Connecticut Insurance Department at 1-800-203-3447.