Rebuilding after Sandy: What You Need to Know, Now

There was a lot post-Hurricane Sandy information given out last Wednesday at the meeting for residents at the Lindenhurst Middle School.

Representatives from FEMA,the United States Small Business Association (SBA) and the Village of Lindenhurst were on hand to try and steer residents in the right direction, all pointing to one hopeful, final destination: money to rebuild.

Below is a list of facts, places and numbers - your "one-stop Sandy shopping," to get you going, and get you on the path toward rebuilding and restoring some normalcy after the storm:

• FEMA's official Disaster Recovery Center is at the Lindenhurst Memorial Library, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Here you can apply for assistance and speak to FEMA representatives in person. FEMA and 14 New York state agencies are stationed in the large meeting room located downstairs in the library. This should be your first stop for any and all questions. FEMA can also be reached at 800-621-3362, and at www.disasterassistance.gov.

• If you're a homeowner or renter, FEMA may refer you to the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA). SBA provides low interest loans of up to $240,000 to replace residence and personal property. To register with SBA, call 800-621-3362. The key component SBA looks at is ability to repay the loan, not credit scores. Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury. If you want to apply to SBA online, then go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

• The main New York State Hurricane Helpline is 888-769-7243.

• Mental Health Hotline: 800-985-5990.

• Disability Assistance: 800-342-3009.

• Assistance with Pets: 347-573-1561.

• The Village's building department can be reached at 631-957-7510. It'll be waiving building permit requirements for those wishing to raise their house, provided they stay within the original footprint. Anything higher than the maximum 26 feet, or for those looking to make additions to their home, must still go through the Zoning Board of Appeals.

• Suffolk County has set up a temporary hazardous chemical storage facility at Venetian Shores. You can leave your fuel tanks, batteries, cleaners, etc. on your curb for pickup.

For more helpful Sandy information, go to www.dhses.ny.gov/oem/event/sandy/contact.cfm.

(See the accompanying PDF files also posted on the Babylon Town website, and click here to check the latest Sandy updates and links for more information about this and other key recovery information from Babylon Town online.)

(Log onto the Village of Lindenhurst website, and click here to check the latest Sandy updates and recovery information from the Village online. Information about the VOL Relief Fund and how to donate could also be found here. Residents could also text VOL to 411247 for the latest recovery updates.)

Latest and Related Coverage:

• Hurricane Sandy Long Island 
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• Suffolk County Waives Rebuilding Fees for Sandy Victims
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• Lindenhurst Memorial Library Is Official FEMA Disaster Recovery Center
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• FEMA Adds New Center in Town of Babylon at the Lindenhurst Memorial Library

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