Nassau, Suffolk excluded from major disaster declaration in New York

Nassau County is urging residents to call Nassau OEM at 516-573-9600 and register their storm damage. If they can claim up to $5 million in damages, they can report that to the state.

News 12 Staff

Sep 7, 2021, 5:10 PM

Updated 1,154 days ago

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A major disaster declaration has been announced for parts of New York, but Nassau and Suffolk were not included.
The disaster declaration will speed up federal financial relief for local governments and deliver individual and public assistance to eligible New Yorkers.
President Joe Biden came to the tri-state area to tour storm damage in Queens and New Jersey on Tuesday afternoon. Parts of New York City and Westchester have been declared disaster areas.
So far, no declaration has been made for Long Island despite substantial damages to property across both counties.
Residents in Manhasset are still putting their water-logged possessions on the curbs.
“It's unacceptable,” says Annemarie Bray, of Manhasset. “We pay taxes, exorbitant taxes, we pay insurance rates that are through the roof, for what? Where's our support? It's just unbelievable.”
Members of the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management came to tour the damage on Nassau Avenue in Manhasset after neighbors organized and started making phone calls.
Damage was also felt by homeowners in Herricks.
Michaela Simone’s house suffered thousands of dollars in damage when rain dumped water in her unfinished basement that was above her head.
Nassau County is urging residents to call Nassau OEM at 516-573-9600 and register their storm damage. If they can claim up to $5 million in damages, they can report that to the state.
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) is working to change the areas covered by the disaster declaration. He and County Executive Laura Curran spoke with residents in flood-devastated Great Neck saying the process could take time.
"You're not going to get any satisfaction for months,” he said. “It's going to take a while. Hopefully within a week we'll get the declaration.”
Suffolk County residents can call 311 for assistance if their property was impacted by Tropical Depression Ida.