N.Y. Disaster Registration Deadline Approaches

New York residents and business owners in the 11 disaster-declared counties who sustained damage from the April 2-4 severe storms and floods have one month to apply for disaster assistance.

June 20, 2005 is the last day registrations will be accepted for individual assistance. Loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for disaster-related losses to real and personal property must also be submitted by that date.

Federal and state disaster recovery officials urge those who have not done so to register as soon as possible. There are two easy ways to begin the process. Call the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) toll-free tele-registration number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY, 1-800-462-7585. The numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, until further notice. Multilingual operators are available to answer calls.

Residents with Internet access may register, anytime, on the agency’s Web site at www.fema.gov where valuable recovery information also is available.

Individuals who already have registered will continue to be processed. The toll-free tele-registration number will not accept new registrations after the June 20 deadline.