ALBANY COUNTY — A flood of FEMA funds are coming to town.

Last week, officials announced that the county will be eligible for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for damages from April’s nor’easter.

This week, Governor Eliot Spitzer’s office announced that the state will pick up the tab for the rest of the costs; usually, FEMA pays 75 percent, and the state and local municipalities split the rest.
What does this mean for local municipalities and their residents"

It means 100-percent reimbursement for storm-related damage occurring between April 14 and 18.
"I’m sure glad to hear that," said New Scotland Supervisor Ed Clark. "There was some significant damages to our roads"which comes totally out of our highway’s operating budget."
Clark said New Scotland will be looking to apply for "between $75,000 and $100,000," citing extensive road damage along Krumkill Road.

Berne town supervisor, Kevin Crosier, said many of the roads in his town were damaged by erosion and other water-related issues.
"This is great news"It’s always good news when you have a flood situation and can get some assistance," Crosier said. "The town of Berne has a very large road infrastructure and a small population to support it."

Guilderland was also hit hard by the storm.
"It’s going to be very helpful," said Guilderland Supervisor Kenneth Runion. "Highway crews were working for days to clear debris from streams and drainage areas"and I know we used well over 100 hours of overtime just in the police department alone."
Runion said the damage to Johnston Road was estimated at "several hundred thousand dollars." A section of the road was closed down during the storm and, after it reopened, the Albany County Department of Public Works placed weight and speed-limit restrictions on it due to damages.

"Catastrophic"

According to Gene Romano, a FEMA spokesman, after a disaster declaration is made, FEMA traditionally provides 75-percent of the eligible cost and the remaining amount would be split between the state and the local municipalities.
"Those people who have losses should apply," said Romano.

With this particular designation, however, the state will cover all of the cost.
"This gives some relief to the local government," said a State Emergency Management Office spokesman, Dennis Michalski. "The damages have been catastrophic in some instances."

Some of the county’s town supervisors were not aware of the state’s intention to pay the remaining cost from the storm this week when The Enterprise called them, but all of them were pleased with the news.

Michalski couldn’t say whether this arrangement would be provided in the future or specifically why the governor is using state funds to cover all of the cost in this particular instance.
Michalski did say there have been several requests for emergency funds in the recent past and it has put "extensive strain" on the local municipalities.

Eleven counties besides Albany are getting assistance: Columbia; Dutchess; Essex; Greene; Orange; Putnam; Rockland; Schoharie; Suffolk; Ulster; and Westchester counties. In addition, Albany and Dutchess counties and the borough of Staten Island in New York City are eligible for individual assistance.

Individual assistance

Romano says affected Albany County residents and businesses will be able to apply directly for any damages sustained from the storm. Applicants have until June 23 to file for assistance claims.
"We ask that people not wait until that date. The sooner you apply, the sooner we can process your claim," said Romano, adding, that work already completed can be reimbursed by the assistance funds.

Low-interest small business loans are also available from FEMA.

To register, the following information will be needed: Social security number, and spouses; private insurance information, if available; address and zip code of the damaged property; directions to the damaged home or property; and a telephone number where FEMA can contact you.

Renters, homeowners, and businesses from Albany County can register for the aid by calling 1-800-621-FEMA between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily and those who are hearing or speech impaired can call 1-800-462-7585. People can also apply online at www.fema.gov.

Romano said a $5.4 million grant, which does not need to be paid back, has been approved for the state from the federal government. In Albany County, 2,300 individual applications have already been processed, he said on Tuesday.

Kerri Battle, spokeswoman for Albany County Executive Michael Breslin’s office, said residents are encouraged to apply and that $2.4 million, out of the $5.4 million, has been allocated to Albany County. The cost to repair damages to county roads totaled $330,000, she said.

Non-profit organizations, such as volunteer fire departments and school districts will also be able to apply for aid. Many emergency crews in the area worked in 24-hour shifts during April’s storm.

The Enterprise reported on a half-dozen local fire departments each of which pumped out scores of flooded basements.

SEMO is holding a meeting next week in Cohoes for municipal officials to gather and learn about the application process and exactly what aid will be available for specific damages.

More information can be found about the aid at www.albanycounty.com.