FEMA Administrator Fugate visits the Rockaways

Image source: FEMA

As we mentioned yesterday, there was FEMA hope for the Rockaways in the form of a visit from the agency, and that is exactly what happened – Administrator Craig Fugate did visit the area on Sunday, according to the FEMA blog:

Administrator Fugate then traveled to Breezy Point, Queens to survey the ongoing response and recovery efforts in the borough.  FEMA teams are on the ground there registering survivors for financial assistance from FEMA. It’s important to remember that the first step to receive financial assistance is to register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or visiting www.dissasterassistance.gov on a computer or mobile device.

As of this afternoon, more than 182,000 people have registered with FEMA and over $158 million has been approved.

The Administrator then drove to Rockaway, Queens to survey the response and recovery efforts.  There, FEMA staff, the National Guard, New York Fire Department and New York Police Department, and private sector cell phone companies, were all working together to support disaster survivors.  By far, the largest effort has been neighbors helping neighbors clean out homes and start down the road to recovery together.

Also in Rockaway, the Administrator stopped by a FEMA Mobile Disaster Recovery Center, where survivors can find out about the federal financial assistance programs that are available.  The center was being manned by FEMA staff as well as FEMACorps members (you can find out more about FEMACorps here).

Finally, the Administrator stopped by the Community Church of Nazarene in Far Rockaway, where Rev. Dr. Les Mullings and Congressman Gregory Meeks showed the Administrator around the congregation which was working tirelessly taking in and distributing clothing, as well as serving hot meals to disaster survivors.

Hurricane Sandy surivors were feeling forgotten after days of no visits from FEMA, though parts of the peninsula were helped out by the National Guard, the Navy, and in Broad Channel a self-organized community police department also helped out their community.

Administrator Fugate Travels to New York to Survey Ongoing Response and Recovery Efforts [FEMA]
Feeling forgotten in the Rockaways after Hurricane Sandy [QNYC]