Household Applicance Grants Available for Storm Victims

Cuomo Announces $8 Million Program Targeted to Assist Those Impacted by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee

An $8 million appliance grant program has been launched for those who sustained property damage as a result of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The program will help New Yorkers cover the costs of replacing vital household appliances, such as refrigerators, boilers washing machines and furnaces, damaged by the recent flooding.

Grants will be a fixed amount for different appliances and could cover up to 100 percent of the costs of a purchase. If the cost of the appliance exceeds the cap, the program will pay a portion of the total costs up to the cap.

"Our top priority is making sure those affected by these storms have the help they need to recover," Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

"This program will cover the costs for critical household appliances and help New Yorkers who suffered property damage to save money as they rebuild after the storms."

The program will be administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Grants will be available for the most critical energy efficient equipment and appliances.

Residents statewide in affected areas will be eligible and must affirm that they have been impacted by Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee and that these products are not covered by insurance or FEMA assistance. For residents affected by Hurricane Irene, grants on purchases of approved appliances and equipment will be retroactive to Aug. 29, 2011, and for residents affected by Tropical Storm Lee, grants will be retroactive to Sept. 9, 2011.

Grants will be for ENERGY STAR© qualified appliances and equipment where applicable. In product categories for which there are no ENERGY STAR criteria, the higher efficiency units will be eligible for a rebate.

A list of eligible equipment and appliances and rebate levels is as follows:

Eligible Equipment & Appliances	Rebate
Refrigerators (ENERGY STAR)	$350
Clothes Washers (ENERGY STAR)	$250
Clothes Dryers w/Moisture Sensor (higher efficiency)	$250
Dehumidifiers (ENERGY STAR)	$100
Furnace (ENERGY STAR)	$2,000
Boiler (ENERGY STAR)	$2,500
Hot Water Heater Tanks (electric- higher efficiency; gas- ENERGY STAR)	$400

Purchases of appliances and equipment, with the exception of dehumidifiers, must be for replacement purposes only and purchases covered by insurance or FEMA are not eligible. Audits to verify insurance claims and/or FEMA assistance may be conducted.

All grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for completed applications, which will be available beginning Monday, September 19 at www.NYSApplianceRebates.com or by calling 1-877-NY-SMART (877-697-6278). The grant program will continue until funding runs out.

Senator Tom Libous said, "We need to help the flood victims in our community get back on their feet. Part of that is helping replace equipment that's essential to their home and businesses. This program is another step toward easing the burden of this disaster and rebuilding our community."

"As we move from the cleanup efforts to the rebuilding phase after the recent storm destruction, this rebate program will allow households to afford the costs of replacing damaged appliances. Governor Cuomo has repeatedly said that the state will do all it can to help those affected by Irene recover, and I commend him for establishing this program that will help families return to normal living after this storm," stated Senator Betty Little.

Governor Cuomo Declares State of Emergency as Irene Approaches

Hurricane Could Strike New York State Over Weekend

Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared a state of emergency in New York in preparation for the potential impact of Hurricane Irene, which may hit New York State this coming weekend.

A state of emergency enables New York to use state resources to assist local governments more effectively and quickly, allows the state to activate the national "Emergency Management Assistance Compact" to bring in resources from out of the state, and enables New York to access key federal resources earlier in anticipation of an emergency.

Cuomo is continuing to coordinate the statewide preparation for the storm and has ordered the state's Emergency Operations Center in Albany to operate twenty-four hours a day. At the Governor's direction, state agencies and local governments are planning cooperative response efforts.

The governor and his administration have been in contact with local officials, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and county executives, to coordinate preparation. The state government is communicating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service to discuss the potential tracks of the storm.

"In this emergency I am activating all levels of state government to prepare for any situation that may be caused by Hurricane Irene," Governor Cuomo said.

"We are communicating with our federal and local partners to track the storm and to plan a coordinated response, and we will deploy resources as needed to the areas expected to be hit the hardest. I urge New Yorkers to personally prepare for hurricane conditions and to cooperate with emergency officials if needed. By working together, we will all be able to face this storm in a calm and organized manner."

Governor Cuomo is overseeing state mobilization in preparation for the potential storm, including:

The state's senior emergency management staff will be assigned to the storm's anticipated centers downstate and on Long Island to strengthen coordination.

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is coordinating with the National Weather Service to track the storm. OEM's Emergency Operations Center is activated and OEM has deployed command vehicles to Nassau and Suffolk counties. OEM will make additional deployments of personnel and resources as needed. OEM is also coordinating with emergency teams across the state to activate local emergency plans.

The Division of State Police is preparing to stage resources, including aviation, marine, dive, and communications units.

The Division of Military and Naval Affairs is developing a plan to put hundreds of troops on State Active Duty to deal with storm-related response. These troops would be available to work with state and city agencies as required.

The state Department of Health is coordinating with the NYC Department of Health to plan for potential evacuations or sheltering of hospitals in certain flood zones.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is preparing for potential outages, coordinating with power plants and transmission line operators, and setting up extra staff for the weekend. The Governor's office and the PSC also spoke directly with CEOs of the six major electric utilities – Con Edison, National Grid, Orange & Rockland, Central Hudson, NYSEG, and RG&E – to discuss collaboration on potential power restoration efforts. The PSC's consumer services office will have extra weekend staff to deal with outage complaints and to provide the public with information.

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) are both confirming extra staffing and conducting internal operations to prepare for potential impacts. LIPA is closely coordinating with National Grid to ensure it is fully prepared on Long Island.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has cancelled all weekend track work and is directing personnel to be on standby for emergency repairs. The MTA will have Subway Emergency Dispatch Vehicles, subway track maintenance personnel, and extra bus tow trucks standing by. The MTA's subway division and bridges and tunnels division will have emergency generators on standby for potential power failures. The MTA is also inspecting critical subway, track, and tunnel pumps to ensure they are working properly.

The Department of Transportation has begun preventive maintenance and debris removal and is distributing flood control equipment. Equipment in active work zones is being secured, additional erosion protection is being addressed as necessary, barges are secured, and plans for post-storm clean-up are being developed.

The Thruway Authority is checking all vehicles and readying equipment. The Authority is outfitting trucks to clear debris and will begin patrols on Saturday. The Authority will have extra staff available to deal with potential impacts of the storm. The Tappan Zee Bridge will be closed to truck, trailer, and mobile home traffic if winds reach 45 mph and this traffic will be diverted to other outlets.

The Bridge Authority is conducting constant monitoring of wind conditions at its six bridges. Wind advisories for motorists will be issued as necessary. Particularly vulnerable are empty box trucks and trailers, which should avoid all bridges during a high wind storm. The Authority has extra staff to monitor wind conditions and to respond to emergency situations. Trucks and large, light vehicles will be discouraged from crossing bridges if wind speeds increase.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is identifying erosion hot spots and potential damage impact areas, monitoring reservoir levels, planning deployment of staff on Monday to assess storm damage, and enhancing their permitting capabilities to speed any necessary storm damage repairs. DEC is in contact with local governments regarding management of storm debris and will monitor wastewater and sewage treatment plant operations.

DEC is canceling reservations at all DEC campgrounds in the Catskill Preserve (North-South Lake, Bear Spring Mountain, Beaverkill, Devil's Tombstone, Kenneth L. Wilson, Little Pond, Mongaup Pond, and Woodland Valley). DEC will close and evacuate these Campgrounds as well as Catskill Preserve Day Use facilities by noon on Saturday.

The Department of Corrections has facilities that fall within the hurricane's projected path in New York City. There are no correctional facilities located in Nassau or Suffolk counties. All of the correctional facilities are equipped with proper generators, water storage tanks, and sufficient supplies of food to last for ten days.

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has canceled all Friday, Saturday, and Sunday camping reservations at all state parks in the Long Island, Palisades and Taconic regions. A complete evacuation of anyone remaining in the campgrounds will occur at noon on Saturday. Parks will be closed if wind speeds reach 45 mph, or as weather conditions require.

In addition, over the coming days the state is deploying the following agencies down to local county and city emergency management offices:

NYC: Office of Emergency Management; Office of Fire Prevention & Control; Department of Health; Division of State Police; Port Authority of New York & New Jersey; Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Department of Transportation; Department of Environmental Conservation; American Red Cross

Nassau County: Office of Emergency Management; Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Department of Transportation; Long Island Rail Road; Division of State Police; Division of Military and Naval Affairs, if activated; Office of Fire Prevention & Control; Department of Health; Department of Environmental Conservation; American Red Cross; Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Suffolk County: Office of Emergency Management; Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Department of Transportation; Long Island Rail Road; Division of State Police; Division of Military and Naval Affairs, if activated; Office of Fire Prevention & Control; Department of Health; Department of Environmental Conservation; American Red Cross

Westchester County: Metro-North Railroad; Office of Fire Prevention & Control; Department of Transportation; Division of State Police; Thruway Authority; Department of Environmental Conservation; Office of Emergency Management; Department of Health; American Red Cross

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has deployed the Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) A to Albany to be staged in the FEMA Joint Field Office and IMAT B to New Jersey to assist with planning and preparedness efforts.

The actual strength of the hurricane will depend on its course up the east coast of the United States. Parts of the state that are adjacent to coastal waters, such as Long Island and New York City, are considered most at risk. Inland locations can also be affected by heavy rainfall and strong winds, which can cause flooding and power outages.

Governor Cuomo urges New Yorkers to take stock of their emergency supplies, such as water, non-perishable food, radios, batteries, supplies for any pets, and first aid kits. The Governor also encourages New Yorkers to check in with neighbors, especially the elderly or disabled, who might need assistance to ensure that their needs are met if emergency instructions are issued.

Bracing for Hurricane Irene

FEMA Continues to Monitor Threat, Encourages Everyone to Be Prepared

WASHINGTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with the entire federal family, is continuing to closely monitor Hurricane Irene, and is coordinating closely with all of its state and territorial partners in the Caribbean and along the East Coast that have already or could possibly experience impacts from this storm.

FEMA also continues to closely monitor the earthquake that states experienced this afternoon, and remains in close contact with our federal, state and local partners. Read more about these efforts.

Additionally, the President was briefed today about the earthquake and status of critical infrastructure. The President was told that there are no initial reports of major infrastructure damage, including at airports and nuclear facilities and that there were currently no requests for assistance.

As part of our ongoing coordination for Hurricane Irene, FEMA's leadership is conducting daily calls with its regional offices in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and its Caribbean Area Office in Puerto Rico, the governors of the states and territories that already have or could be impacted, and its congressional and intergovernmental stakeholders.

FEMA has also been in close contact with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and President Obama, who has been briefed daily by his Homeland Security Advisor, John Brennan, about all federal response and preparation efforts.

Yesterday, President Obama signed an emergency declaration for Puerto Rico, making federal funding available to supplement commonwealth and local response efforts in the area.

"Our priority, as always, is to make sure that we are supporting local efforts as they work to keep residents and communities safe," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.

"As we continue to support response efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, we are also working with our state and local partners along the East Coast to aggressively prepare for Irene's path over the next few days. All East Coast residents should pay close attention to this storm and take the time now to prepare. Visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov for tips on creating your family emergency plan and putting together an emergency supply kit."

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Irene is expected to strengthen and could impact the East Coast later this week. FEMA encourages residents that have already or could possibly be impacted from the storm to continue to monitor weather conditions and listen to the direction of local and territory officials. For more forecast information from the National Weather Service's National Hurricane Center, click here.

Under the guidance of President Obama and Secretary Napolitano, FEMA proactively deployed regional Incident Management Assistance Teams to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to coordinate with territory and local officials to identify needs and possible shortfalls impacting potential disaster response and recovery efforts.

These teams have been in close contact and coordination with both the U.S. Virgin Islands Territory Emergency Management Agency and the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency. As response efforts on the ground continue, FEMA also has liaison officers in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico emergency operations centers.

To help support East Coast states as they prepare for Irene, FEMA has proactively deployed its National Incident Management Team to North Carolina in anticipation of any potential landfall to the East Coast.

FEMA has also activated its National Response Coordination Center to 24-hour operations, to ensure federal coordination and resources are available to support the Regional Response Coordination Center and to monitor current storm conditions.

At all times, FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States and its territories.

These commodities are meant to supplement territorial or state resources if needed, but it's critical that individuals and families that are able build their own emergency supply kits, so that in the event of a disaster, state and local resources can be focused on our most vulnerable citizens.

FEMA is coordinating across the federal government to ensure territorial and state officials have the support they need as they respond to or prepare for Irene. These actions include:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Hurricane Center is monitoring Hurricane Irene and flying jet surveillance missions to provide updated forecasts.

The National Guard Bureau has personnel on the ground in Puerto Rico providing support for clearing roads and debris, transporting equipment, communications, urban search and rescue efforts, and public safety and security needs.

U.S. NORTHCOM's has deployed staff to Puerto Rico to help provide support and coordinate response efforts.

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Coast Guard is currently conducting port and air assessments in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to help re-open ports as soon as possible.

The American Red Cross is sending volunteers to North Carolina and South Carolina, and moving feeding trucks and communications equipment to East Coast states. Local chapters are also getting ready for sheltering efforts.

For more information about FEMA's efforts to support territorial, state and local officials as they prepare for and respond to Hurricane Irene, visit the FEMA blog.

As is always the case, state and local officials make decisions on issuing evacuation orders, so remember to listen to the direction of your local officials and be sure to know your evacuation route in case evacuation orders are given.

FEMA encourages everyone, regardless of whether they live in a hurricane-prone area, to take steps to ensure their family, homes and businesses are prepared for a possible emergency. Important items to have ready in case of an emergency include a battery-powered radio (like a NOAA Weather Radio), flashlight, extra batteries, medicines, non-perishable food, hand-operated can opener, utility knife and first aid supplies.

Important documents, such as medical records, contracts, property deeds, leases, banking records, insurance records and birth certificates, should be copied and kept in a safe place. Visit www.Ready.gov for more information on preparing yourself and your family for emergencies.

Photo source: http://www.ouramazingplanet.com
Author: NASA
Copyright: NASA

New York State Officials Ready for Dangerous Storms

Cuomo Activates State Emergency Operations Center to Monitor Severe Weather Response

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today activated the State Emergency Operations Center to ensure a rapid and coordinated response to severe weather events occurring across New York. "With severe weather impacting large portions of New York, state government is working proactively with our partners on the local level to ensure the safety of our residents and to make sure we can respond quickly to any storm-related problems," Governor Cuomo said.

"Flooding and dangerous storms are a real threat to people and property. I urge residents in areas where severe weather is occurring to monitor local news broadcasts and heed any emergency orders from local officials."

Measures taken in preparation for the storms include the following:

The State Office of Emergency Management is in contact with affected counties and local governments for a continual and real-time assessment of safety risks and clean-up operations.

State Emergency Management field staff have been deployed to impacted areas.

State Police and the Department of Transportation have enacted their storm plans and are assisting local first responders.

State Police airboats are prepared for rescue operations.

The Office of Fire Prevention and Control's Swift Water Rescue Team is prepared for rescue operations.

As of 11:00 AM, April 29, there are approximately 21,100 customers without power statewide. The scattered outages are a result of the recent thunderstorm activity. NYSEG is reporting 8,200 customers out, National Grid is reporting 8,500 customers out, and RG&E is reporting 4,400 customers out. NYSEG and National Grid cite tree damage from the storms as the leading cause of the outages over the past 24 hours. Lightning strikes have also resulted in a number of blown fuses.

For more information on what to do in an emergency, you can visit the State Office of Emergency Management website at www.dhses.ny.gov/oem/.

Photo source: http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/headlines/dszpics.html
Author: Daphne Zaras
Permission: Public Domain