City Of Rye: Post Ida Update

Press release from the City of Rye:

09/14/2021 3:44 PM

In this storm disaster, Rye has been blessed with the help offered by many in our own community. Although most of this message is about accessing FEMA assistance, it also provides an opportunity to thank at least some of those who have been giving of themselves in what is necessarily a multi-dimensional relief effort. A few indigenous sources of aid and comfort have been: Rye Relief; Bread of Life, The Laundry Fairies; Boy Scouts Rye Troop 2 (and Troop 2 families), The "sweet bakers", a cooking team and many of our sports teams (football, baseball, soccer and girls field hockey, to name several), as well as many Rye moms at large. These groups have provided essentials and clean-up and clean-out help that has been magnificent, and we owe them all our thanks. Please forgive any omissions from this list -- I know there are many more doing what we all should. Besides considering how we might all continue to help our neighbors, please give some thought to our wounded organizations, such as the Rye Y and the Rye Free Reading Room and others in that galaxy of organizations that make Rye what it is. 
 
Subject to details to follow, the City will be waiving certain permit fees related to repairs for flood damage and prioritize the issuance of those permits. In addition, the City will waive certain fees related to flood mitigation projects such as elevating your home, flood proofing your business or a building a new home that has been deemed to be substantially damaged by Ida and requires reconstruction compliant with FEMA flood standards.

Speaking of the Rye Y, it is steadfast in offering its "Trip Across New York" in conjunction with Rye Rec. This all of October "walking, biking, swimming or rolling challenge" may be accessed here. Please note the Rye Arts Center's and Rye Rotary's "Rye'sAbove" butterfly sculpture auction to take place on September 21.
 
Rye City Schools were damaged by the floods, but will be opening this week. With the opening of school, we will see more kids on bikes on the streets -- and many without helmets. As one who has cracked more than one bike helmet of his own and as one who knows of the grave injuries suffered by friends young and old when not wearing helmets, I am asking parents not to give up on the helmet fight. Get them the coolest one they want -- get them to wear it!

Note that there will be a benefit concert for Mamaroneck Community Resource Center (flood relief) in Rye Town Park this Sunday at 7 PM. For details, please see link.
 
There is much important FEMA information below compiled in an ongoing effort by City staff to keep us all informed. From my own conversations with FEMA, I have gleaned that the FEMA process may take some time. The number of disaster recovery centers may increase, as will FEMA presence in the form of site visits. Site visiting by FEMA though will be dependent on type and magnitude of damage claimed. Most importantly, follow the basic rules of thoroughly documenting damage (photos, bills, marking your high water line, etc.), contacting FEMA either through its website or phone (see below), or by visiting a recovery center, and claim against any potential insurance coverage before claiming from FEMA.
 
A happy start to school for all heeding the school bell, a good new year to those celebrating the Jewish high holidays and continued heartfelt City support to those coping with storm damage.
 
Mayor Josh Cohn

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Residents who suffered damages and losses due to the remnants of Hurricane Ida, can apply for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Unfortunately, Hurricane Henri did not meet the threshold to be eligible for individual assistance.

Working with Westchester County, FEMA has set up Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) where people can file claims for assistance in person.  Two disaster recovery centers are now open in Westchester. 

• The Grinton I. Will Library, 500 Central Park Ave., Yonkers, NY 10710 
• Mamaroneck Village Court, 169 Mt Pleasant Ave., Mamaroneck, NY 10543. 

They will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. daily, until further notice. People may also register with FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by phone by calling 800-621-3362. 
 
Individuals who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly. These toll-free telephone numbers are operating from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week with multilingual operators.
 
Here you can find more information about aid for individuals and households. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, or low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses. 
 
Some of the criteria that must be met to be eligible for assistance include the following: 

• Damage must have occurred during the incident period of the declaration and be a direct result of the incident.
• Eligible losses include non-insured damage/loss to primary residence, damage/loss to eligible personal property.

 
If you have insurance, file a claim with your insurance company before applying to FEMA. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments but may be able to help where homeowners or flood insurance did not. If you have flood insurance, report your loss immediately to your insurance agent or carrier.
 
Residents can also call the NY State Disaster and Flood Resource Center at 1-800-339-1759 with any questions or visit their website for more information.
 
Small businesses recovering from Ida damage may also qualify for disaster loan assistance from the Small Business Administration. For information please the SBA website or call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY/TDD: 1-800-877-8339).  More information on the loans is outlined in this Disaster Loan Fact Sheet. Return to full list >>

This press release was produced by the City of Rye. The views expressed here are the author’s own.