FEMA, Red Cross Community Forum Set for Wednesday

Community Forum with FEMA, New York State, and the American Red Cross to discuss Storm Recovery Programs and Frequently Asked Questions

On Wednesday, June 26 at 6 p.m. there will be an open community forum hosted by the City of Long Beach along with FEMA, New York State, and the American Red Cross on the 6th floor of City Hall located at 1 West Chester Street in Long Beach.

The forum will consist of representatives from FEMA, City of Long Beach, New York State, and the American Red Cross to discuss frequently asked questions as well as programs and assistance available to residents in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. 

Programs to be Discussed

NY Rising-Sandy Recovery Assistance

Thousands of homeowners across New York have been directly impacted by Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, or Tropical Storm Lee. The devastation wrought by these storms was unlike anything New York has seen in recent history. While FEMA, the State of New York and other disaster relief agencies stepped in immediately following the storm to provide public and private recovery assistance to homeowners in need of help, the State worked to secure Congressional approval of additional federal aid to meet the substantial need. The program outlined here is subject to federal approval. The State of New York, local governments and its partners are now accepting registrations for housing and small business assistance for residents located in disaster-declared counties. These registrations will be used to determine potential program eligibility for each registrant.

Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC)

ICC coverage under FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program is one of several resources for flood insurance policyholders. Under ICC, FEMA offers $30,000 for homeowners to help cover the costs of mitigation measures that will reduce flood risk, including raising the height of houses that the agency mandates for new buildings or rebuilding in designated flood zones such as Long Beach.

Hazard Mitigation

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the HMGP is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster. The HMGP is authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

If you cannot make the meeting or would like more information on some of the topics to be discussed, please check out the following helpful information:

Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) Program FAQ's

NY Sandy Helps- NY Rising Recovery Program FAQ's

Insurance, NFIP, and the Biggert-Waters Reform Act FAQ's

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program FAQ's