On
August 1st, record setting rain doused Long Island causing extensive
flood damage. The Town of Brookhaven has been working with the New York State
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to perform damage
assessments for residents in affected areas. Damage assessments are an effort
to qualify victims for federal or state funding or special programs. Supervisor
Ed Romaine has asked the federal government to provide FEMA assistance to storm
victims and has vowed to push County, State and Federal officials to provide
assistance to storm victims. The Town
has estimated $10-15 million in damage to private homes as a result of the
torrential rain. Additionally, an estimated $15 million in damage to our
roadways has been estimated by the Town Highway Department. Although the South
Shore of Long Island sustained very little damage, some North Shore communities
that were hit hard by Superstorm Sandy, now have another storm to clean up
after. So far, the Building Department has inspected more than 75 homes and
deemed nine uninhabitable.
Residents who
feel that their homes may have sustained structural damage from the storm are
urged to call 631-451-TOWN (8696). An inspector will be sent to their home to
assess the damage and determine if the home is safe to occupy.
For insurance
related issues, residents should call 1-800-339-1759 to speak directly with representatives
from the New York State Department of Financial Services.
As of
Wednesday, August 20th, a “211 Hotline,” originally activated after
Sandy, will be implemented again to assist residents with the clean-up in their
flood damaged homes.
Residents with
large amounts of debris from flood clean-up should call 631-451-TOWN to
schedule pick-up from the Town’s Department of Waste Management.
