Brockport officials and FEMA review flooding problems

The devastating rains that plagued the area in August and September continue to have lasting effects on those homeowners and municipalities that were battered with rainfalls that flooded basements and roads.

Now the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) has begun visiting municipalities to gather information and offer assistance to those who suffered losses and damages as a result of the storms that occurred August 13 to September 16.

Village of Brockport Mayor Josephine Matela said pamphlets relating to the FEMA assistance program will be mailed to people who were affected by the flooding.

"An investigator will also be coming out to speak to homeowners," she said. "Because they have so many people to see, they probably won't spend a lot of time at each home but they will be thorough in their investigation."

Village officials have already supplied FEMA officials with records relating to the village's losses during the flooding.

Matela said the village has been given a wake up call due to the last flooding it experienced. "We have targeted some problem areas and will be looking at some ways to improve our water flow," she said. "We also recognized that we needed more equipment in the way of pumps for use in homes and we are actively pursuing funding in order to obtain more equipment."

She thanked the fire and public works departments for their quick mobilization during the emergency.

The Brockport Fire Department's Public Information Officer, Chris Martin, said that department officials discovered through talking with FEMA that the costs of the volunteer hours and use of apparatus during the flooding could be a covered loss.

"It was interesting to discover how FEMA works and how it benefits the community when a disaster occurs," he said. "I'm pleased with the interaction they have had with the community and anticipate their help to reimburse us for losses incurred during the flooding."

Individuals who incurred losses are encouraged to call FEMA's toll-free registration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to apply for assistance or register online at www.fema.gov. People with hearing or speech impairments can call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Lines remain open from 6 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday. Those with Internet access can apply online at: www.fema.gov.

Also, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) and the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) have opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to assist those who suffered losses and damages as a direct result of the severe storms that occurred August 13 to September 16. The DRC will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week at the Ogden Community Center (Town Hall), 269 Ogden Center Road, Spencerport.

Representatives from FEMA, the State of New York and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be at the DRC to provide information on disaster recovery programs. Additionally, SBA will be available to help fill out applications for long-term, low-interest loans for homeowners, renters and business owners.