FEMA Sets Up Help Center In Marjorie Post Park

While Hurricane Irene may have fallen short of the end-all, be-all of storms that it was hyped up to be, it still managed to leave a very real mark on the lives of many locals in terms of property damage and power outages.

But some residents might not have to face the hardship of putting the pieces back together alone, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is stepping in to offer financial help for those who qualify.

On Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a FEMA help center will be located in Massapequa's . According to FEMA representative Chanthavisouk Siripanyo, if a resident is facing dire circumstances, her organization is there to lend a hand.

"The reason where here today is to help those affected by the hurricane," she said Thursday. "We assisting them with registration and getting them on board, and answer any questions they may have."

The assistance FEMA offers comes in many forms, ranging from temporary housing to financial grants for home repairs. The type of help a person is eligible for depends upon each individual's unique circumstances. However, FEMA's assistance is only available if the homeowner has failed to get help by going through traditional routes first.

"They have to place a claim with their insurance company first, as we can not duplicate the double benefit," Siripanyo said. "They have to settle that with their insurance company first, and then bring the insurance statement back to FEMA for them to look at the case."

Regardless, Siripanyo urges residents to register with FEMA first, so they already have their information on file incase assistance is needed. Residents must also note that a ruling on aid can not be made on the spot at the help center at Marjorie Post Park - this is merely a location to register for possible aid. Those who qualify are informed via mail.

"Once they register with FEMA, within five to seven days a FEMA inspector will contact them and come out and inspect the house," she said. "If they qualify, they might be eligible for a grant to repair their home that they don't have to pay back."

However, if you're a homeowner with a hurricane-related issue and are not able to make it down to Marjorie Post Park this week to register with FEMA, don't worry- chances are, they might just come to you.

"We're out in the public, going to businesses and residences, canvassing the areas where there's damage," she said. "We knock on doors, asking people if they have damage, and assisting them with registering if they do."

If you have suffered property damage related to Hurricane Irene and require assistance, you can contact FEMA directly by calling 1-800-462-7585 or via their website at www.DiasterAssistance.gov.