Schumer Announces More Federal Disaster Aid Now Available For Brooklyn Residents Affected by Last Month's Tornado

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that additional federal disaster assistance has been approved for individuals and households impacted during the freak storm and tornado which passed through the New York City area in midAugust. The new aid, in addition to the Small Business Administration loans approved last Wednesday, comes in the form of FEMA Individual Assistance grants for individuals and households that suffered damages in Brooklyn from the August storm and tornado. Immediately after the storm, Schumer wrote personally to the head of the FEMA asking him to approve the aid. Schumer spoke to FEMA Administrator Paulison directly last week asking him to make Brooklyn eligible for the aid.

"This is great news for Brooklynites who were hit very hard by the unexpected tornado and flooding in late August," said Schumer.  "After being hammered with recordbreaking rains and the freak tornado, cleaningup the damage is beyond the capacity of many of the families in Brooklyn. With this additional aid, those affected will be able to get back on their feet."

Under this declaration, individuals and households in Brooklyn affected by the storm will be available for Individual Assistance, which provides funds for such needs as temporary housing, repair and construction. The maximum limit is $28,200 per household . On August 20, Schumer wrote to FEMA Administrator David Paulison asking him to approve the aid. 

Brooklyn will also be eligible for assistance through the Hazard Mitigation program, which provides aid to States and local governments to implement longterm hazard mitigation measures to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters.