Governor Hochul Announces Opening of Disaster Recovery Center in Rockland County Following Approval of Amendment to Major Disaster Declaration

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of a new Disaster Recovery Center in Rockland County that will provide information, assistance and help for New Yorkers who were impacted by the storms and flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. The new in-person location will feature disaster recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration who can answer questions and provide information about the types of federal assistance for which homeowners, renters and business owners can qualify following the Major Disaster Declaration signed by President Biden on September 5, 2021.

"Rockland County was one of the areas hit hard by Hurricane Ida, and opening another Disaster Recovery Center will bring help to homes and businesses that need it," Governor Hochul said. "I thank FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and her team's efforts working in collaboration with the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to allow us to get information and resources to the families that were impacted the most."

Rockland County was recently approved to be added to the Major Disaster Declaration for both Individual and Public Assistance. Personnel from state agencies such as the Office of Mental Health, Department of Financial Services, Department of Labor, and Department of Motor Vehicles will be available at the DRC to connect citizens who were impacted by Ida with state programs or services that may be available to assist them in their recovery.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day said, "We encourage residents that need help applying for Disaster Assistance and suffered damage and losses from Hurricane Ida to visit the DRC as soon as possible. My thanks to FEMA, New York State, the Town of Orangetown and the Orangetown Metro Sports Club for helping to secure this convenient location."

The Rockland County DRC opens Friday at 1pm, and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at:

Orangetown Soccer Complex Building
175 Old Orangeburg Road
Orangeburg, NY 10962

Disaster Recovery Centers are currently open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at:

• Medgar Evers College - 231 Crown Street, Brooklyn, NY 11225
• Queens College, Student Union - 152-45 Melbourne Ave, Flushing, NY 11367
• Hostos Community College - 450 Grand Concourse, E. Building C, Bronx, NY 10451
• Grinton I. Will Library - 1500 Central Park Ave, Yonkers, NY 10710
• College of Staten Island, Gymnasium Building R1 - 2800 Victory Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10314
• Michael J. Tully Park Physical Activity Center - 1801 Evergreen Ave, New Hyde Park, NY 11040
• Rose Caracappa Senior Center - 739 NY-25A, Mt Sinai, NY 11768

Governor Hochul previously announced the launch of the new online resource hub for impacted New Yorkers, available at ny.gov/Ida. The hub provides information on available assistance programs and where to find services such as shelter and access to food. Information on the site will be updated as more resources for New Yorkers become available.

Survivors looking to access resources remotely may also register with FEMA using the FEMA App, online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Individuals who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are operated from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.(local time) seven days a week until further notice. Operators are multilingual. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service. If you need accommodations for language or a disability, let the operator know.

For additional online resources, as well as FEMA downloadable pamphlets and other aids, visit www.disasterassistance.gov and click "information."