Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 19, 1996

Release #599-96

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Bradford E. Billet (212) 442-9260


MAYOR GIULIANI AND OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCE
MAJOR PRESIDENTIAL DISASTER DECLARATION
FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani announced this evening that President Bill Clinton has issued a major disaster declaration for New York City, making the City and its residents eligible for Federal Disaster relief in the wake of the Nor'easter that struck the City on October 19, 1996. The relief will be available in form of individual assistance grant and loan programs and hazard mitigation funding.

"On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to express our appreciation to President Clinton for making disaster relief funds available," Mayor Giuliani said. "These funds will go a long way to ease the economic hardship that the October floods imposed upon families and business in our City -- particularly in the hardest hit areas which include Edgewater Park and City Island in the Bronx; Springfield Gardens and Flushing in Queens; and parts of Staten Island.

"These funds will also assist in our long term efforts to prevent flooding in the future," concluded the Mayor.

The Mayor formally requested Federal Disaster Relief from the President through Governor George E. Pataki four days after flooding severely damaged numerous City neighborhoods. The Mayor's Office of Emergency Management under the leadership of Jerome M. Hauer, Director of OEM, coordinated the City's initial response to the disaster which included the Fire Department and the Department of Environmental Protection, pumping out numerous flooded homes. In addition, during the storm the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, activated 14 emergency shelters. Nearly 4.8 inches of rain hit the City of New York and more than 1,000 homes sustained significant damage -- some remain uninhabitable to this day.

Under the Individual Assistance Program, families impacted by the storm will be able to apply for grants of up to $12,900. Additional relief is available through the Disaster Housing Program (which includes short term lodging home repair assistance rental assistance and mortgage and rental assistance) and the Small Business Administration low interest loan program. Legal services and crisis counseling will also be made available.

Affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by calling 1-800-462-9029 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. These toll free numbers will operated between 8:00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. (EST) seven days a week until further notice.



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