Bedford Could Receive Federal Aid for Irene Recovery

Locals hit hard by Irene may soon be eligible for dollars toward recovery through the Federal Emergency Management Fund.

The news may be a welcome relief for businesses due to flooding or power outages.

For the town of Bedford—which has spent yet-to-be calculated amounts on overtime for its public works employees and on the hiring of contracted highway crews—federal funds soften the blow of Irene's aftermath on an already tight budget.

"Each department has been tracking costs since last Thursday before the storm," said Bedford Supervisor, Lee V.A. Roberts. "It will be a substantial amount which we hope and expect will be covered by FEMA." 

NYSEG paid for the dry ice and water supplies distributed to residents.

County Executive Robert Astorino announced the potential aid from FEMA Thursday evening.

"Westchester residents and businesses, particularly in some areas of the county, have been hit very hard by damage from the storm," said Astorino. "We don't have all the details yet, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency is moving quickly to get federal relief dollars to our area," he said in a news release.

Locals need to document their losses with receipts and photographs and first contact their insurance company to see what will be covered. Then, residents and small businesses need to register by calling FEMA's registration number: 1-800-621-3362.

Astorino also announced plans for FEMA to open a Disaster Recovery Center in Westchester. "As details emerge, we will get them out to residents, businesses and local governments as quickly as possible," said Astorino. "In the meantime, people should get their information together so they can act quickly or apply online."

For more information, visit the FEMA Web site: www.disasterassistance.gov.