Updated 11/01/2011 09:13 AM
FEMA extends NY deadlines to apply for disaster assistance
A last-minute reprieve for victims of Tropical Storm Irene and the remnants of Lee who haven't gotten around to filing for federal assistance. FEMA has now extended the deadline to apply for aid. Our Lori Chung reports.
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
ALBANY, N.Y. -- "They helped out probably half of what we should've gotten, but anything you can get is a help," Rotterdam Junction resident Joseph Margiotta said.
Still cleaning up, Margiotta says the FEMA aid he received after Tropical Storm Irene struck last August helped make him whole again. But his son, despite being one of the few with flood insurance, didn't fare as well.
“Their house got probably close to totaled. I would say, the flood insurance was pretty similar to the FEMA quote,” Margiotta said.
The mark of the deadly storm still evident here. Now FEMA is extending the deadline to apply for aid from October 31st to December 15th.
"There are still probably assessing the damages. We want to make sure they're going to register," said Peter Lembessis, FEMA Public Information Officer.
And from the looks of things, residents are still trying to get their bearings, keeping contractors busy.
"We're almost done. We should be done by Wednesday on this house and we're going to be starting a house across the street pretty soon," contractor Paul SHeedy said.
Officials want to assure overwhelmed flood victims of Tropical Storms Irene and Lee that aid can come fairly quickly to start those home repair jobs as soon as possible.
"The inspector will come within seven to 10 days and the money will be in their account on two or three days," Lembessis said.
There are so many people here still rebuilding and those who saw the worst of it found their homes condemned all together, but those who applied for and received aid say they appreciate any help they can get.
"They do help and every little bit helps," Margiotta said. "Anything you can do is a help."