BY U.S. CONGRESSMEMBER GRACE MENG When Sandy slammed into our region late last year, homes, businesses and mass transit systems were not the only things devastated by the storm. More than 200 houses of worship throughout the tri-state area – including many here in Queens – were damaged or destroyed as well. But when these [...]
Gina Borrello used to live in a one-story home in Hamilton Beach. But since Sandy hit almost six months ago and submerged her house underwater, it has been infested with toxic mold, leaving her and her six children displaced. “I need help,” she said. Her daughter, Donna Sirota spoke about how they have been getting [...]
They met for rebuilding — and for prevention. Howard Beach community leaders sat down with representatives of New York City’s Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency (SIRR) last week to discuss how funds would be appropriated to recover from Sandy, as well as plans to improve the community’s defense against future natural disasters. Representatives from [...]
TODAY’S FORECAST Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of a thunderstorm and a chance of rain in the afternoon. High of 77. Winds from the West at 5 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Wednesday night: Overcast with thunderstorms and rain showers, then a chance of rain after midnight. Fog overnight. Low of 52. [...]
This summer it will be safe to go back in the water. Improved beachfront structures that adhere to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) new flood elevation standards will be installed at Rockaway Beach by Memorial Day weekend, according to the New York City Parks Department. These modern-looking lifeguard stands, comfort stations and offices will [...]
An additional extension has been granted for two government programs that financially help Sandy survivors in New York State, announced Governor Andrew Cuomo. Anyone living in New York City and Long Island, or the counties of Westchester, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster and Sullivan who suffered losses from the storm, including rent, essential home repairs and [...]
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a 21-day extension of the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for Sandy victims, Governor Cuomo announced Wednesday. “The Transitional Sheltering Assistance program continues to be an essential resource for the New Yorkers who were hit hardest by Sandy,” said Cuomo. “This extension allows them to have a [...]
Co-ops and condos damaged by Sandy are now eligible for federal housing grants. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced it will allow co-ops and condos to receive funding from Community Development Block Grants Disaster Recovery grants to help with repairs. “We have finally cleared a bureaucratic hurdle that prevented thousands of [...]
After Sandy wreaked havoc on the MTA’s infrastructure, the transit agency is finally receiving the millions it will take to repair the damage. The Federal Transit Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency is giving the MTA $193.1 million in total funding to reimburse storm preparation costs and to help rebuild public transit, bridges and tunnels, [...]
Last week, some of the city’s sanitation workers got a surprise in their paycheck — a deduction. In the chaos of Sandy’s aftermath, downed computers and closed garages caused payment errors for the Department of Sanitation (DSNY), according to Harry Nespoli, president of Local 831 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association. Some [...]
