Obama Signs Disaster Declaration for Irene-Ravaged New York

Albany, NY – President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in New York after Tropical Storm Irene, freeing up federal recovery funds. WAMC's Ian Pickus has more...

The Sunday storm deluged some areas, triggering devastating flash floods that knocked buildings off their foundations, washed away roads and bridges, swamped farmland and cut power to almost a million people in New York alone.

Obama's declaration makes funding available to people in the counties of Albany, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Ulster. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured
property losses, and other programs.

State and eligible local governments and some private nonprofits in 19 counties are also eligible for funding.

Applications can be made starting Thursday at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY).

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.