Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Village of Pelham.

We are compiling a list of resources available for local residents dealing with personal property damage after Hurricane Ida, which is available on the Village’s website at https://www.pelhamgov.com/home/urgent-alerts/major-disaster-declaration-information-updates. This page will be updated as information becomes available.

Many local residents have begun the application process to request federal disaster assistance through FEMA at https://www.disasterassistance.gov. Frustratingly, some have indicated that the website has been unreliable and prone to crashing. Naturally, there are large numbers of people utilizing the website right now, and we do expect that to be a temporary issue.  In the meantime, the quickest solution is to either call FEMA directly at (800) 621-3362 or download the FEMA mobile app via Google or the Apple App Store. Both of these methods should be safe from crashes and allow you to submit your application. FEMA is also planning to provide mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to provide onsite support for those who need assistance filling out the necessary forms, but we are still awaiting information on where and when that support will be provided.

Assistance from FEMA can include funds for temporary housing units, housing and driveway repairs, crisis counseling, unemployment assistance, and legal services. All applicants should contact their insurance company prior to submitting a request for disaster relief.

Local business owners interested in obtaining an emergency disaster loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA) may visit https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ or call 1-800-659-2955.

In addition to official resources, many of our local nonprofits are organizing support for residents in need. Pelham Together, Junior League of Pelham, Pelham Civic Association, and the Pelham Chamber of Commerce are leading volunteer efforts to pull together resources to help provide assistance for residents who need:

• Heavy lifting (moving furniture, pulling out carpet, etc)

• Light lifting (moving general household goods)

• Specialized work (if you need help from someone with tools)

• Phone calling (if you need someone to stay on the phone for you, or get specific info for you)

• Driving help

• Shower

• Laundry

• Financial Assistance (from the Pelham Civics Good Neighbor program)

• Borrow a fan and/or dehumidifier

• Food (meal preparation)

• Shopping (groceries, Target runs, Costco, etc.)

And if you need something not listed above, they can likely help with that too. Please visit  https://pelhamtogether.org/pelham-storm-recovery to learn more. And if you would like to volunteer, please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0c4baaa72ea3ff2-pelham1. Thank you to all those stepping up to support our neighbors in need.

Finally, both Congressman Bowman and State Senator Biaggi have committed staff to supporting Village residents in need of special assistance with the FRMA process. You can email Congressman Bowman’s office at [email protected].gov or call the Westchester District Office at (914) 371-9220.

For assistance from Senator Biaggi’s office, please email [email protected] or call (718) 822-2049.

As requested before, if you have any neighbor(s) who do not have access to the various channels we use to communicate, please check in on them. If they need help, call the Pelham Police Department at (914) 738-2000. We’re here to help.

To make sure you receive emergency notifications, subscribe to Nixle alerts (via text message and email) https://local.nixle.com/village-of-pelham

For ongoing updates and information from the Village of Pelham, subscribe to Village email alerts https://www.pelhamgov.com/subscribe