In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, boaters, anglers and citizens alike will be seeking federal assistance to get back on their feet and begin the rebuilding process. Taking the correct steps from the beginning will ensure a speedy and seamless process for all. Further, local State Environmental Agencies continue to asses their local landscape and issue closures, warning and alerts to the public. This information should be closely monitored. The following links and information should set you in the correct direction:

FEMA ASSISTANCE
President Obama has issued a major disaster declaration for counties affected by Hurricane Sandy. This declaration means the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is accepting applications for disaster assistance from businesses and individuals in those counties. The first step is to verify that your county was included as noted below. Please note that additional counties may be added in the future.

Those in the county designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.

FEMA NJ - www.fema.gov/disaster/4086
The following counties under PA-B include direct federal assistance: Atlantic County, Cape May County, Essex County, Hudson County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Ocean County and Union County.

FEMA NY - www.fema.gov/disaster/4085
The following counties under PA-B include direct federal assistance: Bronx County, Kings County, Nassau County, New York County, Queens County, Richmond County and Suffolk County.

FEMA CT - www.fema.gov/disaster/4087
The following counties under PA-B include direct federal assistance: Fairfield County, Mashantucket Pequot Indian Reservation, Middlesex County, New Haven County and New London County.

FEMA RI - www.fema.gov/disaster/4089

STATE WEBSITES FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
New Jersey:
www.ready.nj.gov/plan/public-assist.html

New York:
www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/StepsforApplyingforFEMAAssistance.pdf

Connecticut:
www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/cwp/view.asp?Q=513668&A=4010

Rhode Island:
www.riema.ri.gov/recovery/assistance/index.php

SBA DISASTER LOANS
The SBA (Small Business Administration) provides low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. You may view the current Presidential and SBA Agency disaster declarations for your region below.

New York Hurricane Sandy Disaster Declaration # 13365:
www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/4/2818/news/353671

New Jersey Hurricane Sandy Disaster Declaration # 13367:
www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/4/2818/news/353691#

Connecticut Hurricane Sandy Disaster Declaration # 13369 :
www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/4/2818/news/353711

SBA disaster loan information:
www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants/small-business-loans/disaster-loans

STATE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY NOTICES AND ALERTS
New Jersey DEP:
www.nj.gov/dep/special/hurricane-sandy/

New York State DEC:
www.dec.ny.gov/public/76659.html

Connecticut DEEP:
www.ct.gov/deep/site/default.asp

Rhode Island DEM:
www.dem.ri.gov/sandy.htm

Massachusetts DEM:
www.mass.gov/dep/floodcleanup.htm

MISCELLANEOUS LINKS
Assistance In Dealing With Disaster:
www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/mhdpr/em-cope-stress-events.pdf
www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/mhdpr/em-cope-stress-events.pdf

Post-hurricane Boat Tips:
www.boatus.com/hurricanes/after.asp

Boat US Insurance Claims:
www.boatus-insurance.com/claim/orapage1.asp

Catastrophe Response:

www.seatow.com/marine-services/catastrophe-response

FEAM has compiled a list of post-hurricane steps:
www.ready.gov/hurricanes?qt-view__field_tabs_view__default__166=2

Tips from the National Flood Insurance Program:
www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pdfs/PDT_After_the_Flood_Tips.pdf

Free Legal Assistance:
www.disasterlegalaid.org/

Marine Trades Association of New Jersey resources:
www.mtanj.org/sandy.html

RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS
Please note that The Fisherman is in no way associated with any of these organizations.
www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf
www.redcross.org/
http://rockawayhelp.com/
https://sandynjrelieffund.org/index.html
www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm
www.habitat.org/