NY Post-Storm Resources

NY Post-Storm Resources

The City of New York has developed a list of resources for those who were affected by this historic storm.

New Yorkers Can Now Get Disaster Assistance & Report Damage to FEMA

President Biden has approved an expedited Major Disaster Declaration that will help provide federal financial relief for New Yorkers recovering from the flooding damage caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. The counties covered by the declaration include: Bronx, Queens, Kings (Brooklyn), and Richmond (Staten Island).

Apply for disaster assistance and report damage to your property:

If you use a relay service (a videophone, InnoCaption, CapTel, etc.), please provide your number assigned to that service. FEMA must be able to contact you. Be aware that phone calls from FEMA may appear to come from an unidentified number.

Sign Up for Notify NYC

New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or emails alerts about traffic and transit disruptions and other emergencies. Sign up to receive free emergency alerts and updates in your preferred language, register by visiting NYC.gov/notifynyc, calling 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115), following @NotifyNYC on Twitter, or getting the free Notify NYC mobile application for your Apple or Android device.

Service Centers Open Citywide

The City is opening service centers to provide resources to New Yorkers affected by this emergency.

The following locations will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.:

  • Bronx
    P.S./M.S. 194: 2365 Waterbury Avenue
    Bronx, NY 10462
  • Brooklyn (Red Hook)
    P.S. 15: 71 Sullivan Street
    Brooklyn, NY 11231
  • Manhattan (lower Central Harlem)
    I.S. 88: 215 West 114th Street
    New York, NY 10026
  • Queens
    M.S. 125: 4602 47th Avenue
    Woodside, NY 11377
  • Staten Island
    I.S. 51: 80 Willowbrook Road
    Staten Island, NY 10302

Transportation to Service Centers

People who have no other transportation options to visit one of New York City’s service centers, especially those disabilities or other access or functional needs, may request transportation assistance by contacting 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115).

Donations

The City is not accepting in-kind donations at this time. Do not drop off any donations to the service center locations or any affected areas.

Before donating any goods, including food or clothing, wait for instructions from local officials or check with a specific organization. Unneeded items overwhelm the recovery effort and may go to waste.

Financial Assistance & Resources for Homeowners & Renters

NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

The NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development has put together a list of resources for homeowners affected by this storm. View the PDF

Comptroller’s Office

New Yorkers can file a water damage or loss claim form for damages from Hurricane Ida.

New York State Department of Financial Services

The New York State Department of Financial Services can provide residents and business owners impacted by the storm with insurance information regarding policy coverage for losses and suggestions on how to document their losses and safeguard their property.

New Yorkers can call the New York State Department of Financial Services’ (NYS DFS) Disaster Hotline at 800-339-1759, daily, 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m. and by accessing the website at www.dfs.ny.gov.

Insurance Information

  • If you rent your home, renter’s insurance will insure the items inside your apartment. If you are a homeowner, make sure your home is properly insured. Note: Protection against property loss due to flooding is typically not covered under renters and homeowner’s insurance policies. For more information, visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.
  • If you have a flood insurance policy (either as a homeowner or renter) and experienced flood damage from Ida, you should submit your loss to your insurance agent as soon as possible and begin documenting the damage. You’ll need to provide proof of loss to your insurance company within 60 days of the flood. For more details on the claims process, follow these steps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
  • Anyone in New York City is eligible for flood insurance.
  • Flood insurance covers losses directly caused by flooding. In simple terms, a flood is an excess of water on land that is normally dry, affecting two or more acres of land or two or more properties.
  • Homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage.
  • If you do not have flood insurance, consider buying it to be protected from the next flood.

Business Assistance

New Yorkers can call for live, one-on-one assistance: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692)

In addition, the following resources are available:

Post-loss insurance tips for businesses:

  • Immediately contact your insurance company or broker/agent.
  • Carefully read your insurance policy to understand what losses are covered.
  • Take photographs or a video of the damaged areas and assets to help with your claim.
  • Don’t remove any damaged property until the insurance adjuster has assessed the damage and made an official report.
  • Make only those repairs necessary to prevent any further damage; if you make permanent repairs unauthorized by the insurance company, they may not be covered.
  • Keep all receipts for repairs and temporary business expenses.
  • To help establish the value of your claim, prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed property (item, quantity, date of purchase, cost at purchase, age, and estimated replacement cost), along with your pre-loss photographs.
  • Accompany the adjuster to point out damage during the inspection.
  • If the settlement offered by the insurance company seems unfair, contact the New York State Insurance Department by visiting www.dfs.ny.gov.
  • If the insurance company denies any part of your claim, get the denial in writing, and keep copies.
  • Always contact your insurance company and claims adjuster any time you find additional damage not previously reported.

Food Assistance and Housing Assistance

GetFood

Food delivery is available through the GetFoodNYC Emergency Home Food Delivery program for those in need because of Hurricane Ida. Please note that the food will need to be refrigerated and heated.

  • Anyone in need of food as a result of Ida can call 311 and get home delivered meals.
  • Each box will have 6 meals- 3 lunches and 3 dinners. They can request one delivery or two weeks of meals.
  • Meals will need to be heated and refrigerated, they come either fresh or frozen.
  • If individuals need refrigeration/heating appliances, the City will address those needs. Halal, Kosher, or non-specialty meals are available
  • If individuals do not need meals for 2 weeks, orders can be cancelled by calling 311.

Visit the GetFood program online

Catholic Charities of Brooklyn & Queens

Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens services include food pantry referrals and case management.

  • 718-722-6001
  • Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Salvation Army in Greater New York

Contact the Salvation Army Corps Community Center nearest you.

Catholic Charities of Brooklyn & Queens

Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens services include food pantry referrals and case management.

  • 718-722-6001
  • Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

City Harvest

City Harvest provides a food pantry, soup kitchens, and mobile markets.

American Red Cross in Greater New York

The American Red Cross in Greater New York offers general assistance including sheltering and immediate needs. Call 1-877-733-2767.

Human Resources Administration (HRA)/ Department of Social Services (DSS)

The Human Resources Administration (HRA) ACCESS HRA website and free mobile app allow you to get information, apply for benefit programs, and view case information online. The income-based HRA programs offer move in assistance through the One-Shot Deal program, security deposits, HomeBase housing assistance, financial counseling, landlord and family mediation and community social services. It also provides food stamps, cash assistance, and Medicaid.

Visit The Human Resources Administration (HRA) ACCESS HRA website for emergency help with apartment expenses. After submitting an application, HRA will call you within seven (7) days. Documents may be required.

Community Assistance

IDNYC

IDNYC is a free government issued photo ID card for all New York City residents ages 10 and above and provides access to a wide range of services and discounts. IDNYC applicants’ information is confidential. Immigration status does not matter. Renew your card online by visiting NYC.gov/idnyc. To request an updated card or to replace a lost card, make an appointment to visit an enrollment center by going to NYC.gov/idnyc or by calling 311.

Immigrant Affairs

If you have questions about immigration or how to access City services, help in your language is available. Call the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) hotline at 212-788-7654 from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email askmoia@cityhall.nyc.gov.

Pet Assistance

The Animal Care Centers of NYC and ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) offer veterinary/medical care for pet(s), short-term emergency boarding, surrender services, and pet supplies.

  • ASPCA: Call 1-800-738-9437, Monday – Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.
  • ACC: For assistance with Lost & Found services, call 212-510-7107.

Emotional and Spiritual Care, and Mental Health Support

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) offers 24/7, confidential and multilingual crisis support services for those struggling with emotional distress or other mental health concerns, Vibrant Emotional Health administers the national Disaster Distress Helpline for SAMHSA, available to anyone in U.S., including territories, and Vibrant Emotional Health operates NYC Well for the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, available to anyone in New York City.

  • 24 hour hotline: 888-NYC WELL (888-692-9355)
  • Text “WELL” to 65173
  • Disaster Distress Helpline (24/7 hotline): 1-800-985-5990. For Spanish, press 2.
  • MS text “TalkWithUs” to 66746. For Spanish text “Hablamos” to 66746.
  • Visit: disasterdistress.samhsa.gov

New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS)

New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) provides referrals to spiritual care providers and trained disaster chaplains. 

  • Call 212-669-6100
  • Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Salvation Army Greater New York

The Salvation Army Greater New York provides emotional and spiritual care services. 

  • Call 212-337-7200
  • Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cleaning After a Flood

Keep children, pets and people with compromised immune systems away until the area has been cleaned and disinfected.

Use protective eyewear and waterproof gloves and boots when cleaning or coming in contact with sewage.

Remove standing shallow water. Make sure to dry all objects and surfaces thoroughly to avoid mold growth.

Deep water and extensive flood damage may require professional cleanup and restoration.

  • Throw away any food (including packaged food) that may have been touched by sewage water.

Use soap and water to clean surfaces contaminated with sewage.

To disinfect, wipe surfaces with a bleach solution (half cup bleach in one gallon of water). Non-bleach sanitizers can also be used.

WARNING: Never mix bleach with ammonia or detergents containing ammonia products since dangerous gases may be created. Bleach can damage some materials, so use with caution.

Wash clothes, bedding and other fabrics contaminated with sewage with detergent and water. Dry them thoroughly. Dry clean items that cannot be washed.

If fuel is found floating on top of water in a flooded basement, please refer to NYS Department of Environmental Conservation – Guidance on Oil Cleanup for information on cleanup and reporting oil spills. The oil should be removed before the water is pumped out. If the oil is not removed first, the floors and walls will be coated with oil as the water is removed.

After you finish cleaning, disinfect your boots and gloves with a solution of one half cup household bleach in one gallon of water. Rinse with clear water and allow the boots and gloves to air dry.

Structural Issues

  • When surveying flood damage in a building look out for mold, any newly formed cracks along the wall, and signs of foundation damage including bulging walls.
  • Heavy flooding can have a significant effect on the structural stability of outdoor structures such as decks, porches and retaining walls. Take extra precaution near these outdoor structures, due to the potential for collapse.
  • Flooding can also cause the soil around buildings to shift. Be cautious of sink holes forming on your property, especially near septic systems. Avoid areas around large trees if the surrounding soil is soft.
  • If your basement or cellar is flooded, use caution when pumping out the water. Pumping out flood water from a building too quickly could cause serious structural damage. The water must be drained slowly to equalize pressure on both sides of building walls.

Repairs

  • Extensive repair work in a building may require the services of a registered contractor as well as NYC Department of Buildings-issued work permits. Electrical Wiring repairs will require the services of a licensed electrician. Gas plumbing system repairs will require the services of a licensed plumber. Check the license status of these construction professionals here.
  • Licensed Master Plumbers performing emergency work to address a hazardous situation, restore essential services, and maintain sanitary conditions, have the ability to file an Emergency Work Notifications with the Department online, allowing them to start repairs immediately with no wait time from the NYC Department of Buildings. The plumber can then submit the paperwork for any required permits with the Department after the job is already completed.
  • Before starting any major repairs at your building, contact a construction professional or the Department of Buildings.

More Resources on Flooding

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Prevent Mold Growth

Rumor Control

Rumors that the City’s Department of Buildings (DOB) is going door-to-door in neighborhoods unannounced, asking for access into homes to conduct illegal conversion inspections, are false.

In the interest of protecting our fellow New Yorkers, we are conducting safety inspections of properties to check for structural damage and other immediately hazardous conditions. The Department of Buildings is triaging these storm damage notifications as they come in, and our teams of inspectors responding to these specific locations are looking to ensure these structures are safe to occupy.

If the DOB finds storm-related damage during these inspections, staff are notifying the property owner of the conditions, and providing guidance on how to go about making repairs. Vacate Orders are only issued as a last resort, when occupancy of a building poses an immediate life safety threat. To date, our inspection teams conducting these self-reported storm damage safety inspections have not issued any Vacate Orders for illegal conversion conditions.

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