Flooding and Damage Resources

Flooding and Damage Resources 

The remnants of Hurricane Ida brought record rainfall and flooding leaving a trail of death and destruction across New York City and the Northeast. Once you are safe, it is time to assess the damage and notify the appropriate partners. The best thing to do is to take photos and videos of any damage to your property, business, building and inventory (posting on social media is all well and good but it is your insurance company that needs the information). Make sure to take pictures of everything damaged or ruined BEFORE you cleanup. Also, keep receipts for any purchases related to cleanup or replacement items. Make sure to contact your insurance provider immediately to report a loss and file a claim.

If you have experienced flooding or damage, here are some helpful resources:

• To report flooding on a street or sidewalk: call 311 (if you left a disabled vehicle on the highway or a NYC street due to flooding, contact 311 as well)
• To request tree removal: https://on.nyc.gov/3DErdAh
• To report property damage from a tree on city property: https://on.nyc.gov/3kP4j0p
• DFS Disaster Hotline 800-339-1759 (M-F, 8:30 am-4:30 pm)

Some tips for staying safe after a flood:

• Pay attention to authorities for information and instructions. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
• Avoid driving except in emergencies.
• Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing and boots during clean up and use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris. 
• People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
• Be aware that snakes and other animals may be in your house.
• Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock if it is safe to do so.
• Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
• Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery ONLY outdoors and away from windows.

In response to the remnants of Hurricane Ida the US Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the following loans are available:

• Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
• Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.

The application deadline for physical damage is November 4, 2021.

Other resources include:

• https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/help_for_homeowners/disaster_flood
• https://www1.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/help/city-services/disaster-assistance.page
• https://www.fema.gov/ 

For the purposes of helping NYC Emergency Management track data go to https://www1.nyc.gov/site/severeweather/resources/report-damage.page 

We strongly advise New York City businesses join their local Chamber of Commerce. The helpful tips above were provided in part by the  Queens Chamber of Commerce which tirelessly supports Queens businesses.

Please let us know of any other recourses and tips and we’ll be sure to add them to our guide.

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