Family Life

09.15.11 | Sarah Harnisch

The remnants from Tropical Storm Lee likely caused a billion dollars in damage in Pennsylvania and destroyed 56-hundred houses. We're learning today what the toll has been on Central new York. A press conference was held in Binghamton last night. In Broome County alone, 43 structures were completely destroyed. 23-hundred were damaged, 6-thousand impacted. There were more then 23-thousand evacuations. Some shelters, at their peak, housed 16-hundred people. The cost-- just to the city of Binghamton-- is 2.3 million dollars. 25-million dollars in damage was done to the Binghamton-Johnson City Sewage Plant. 400-thousand in damage to streets. 120-thousand in damage was done to the Binghamton City Hall.

Meanwhile, Andrew Cuomo has launched an 8-million-dollar appliance grant program for those who sustained property damage from the flood. The program will help New Yorkers cover the cost of replacing things like refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers. Grants could cover up to 100-percent of the cost of the appliance, and you can apply as of this coming Monday, 9/19/2011. For more information, go to nysappliancerebates.com.

Also, if you live in one of the 19 Pennsylvania counties qualifying for FEMA aid, you also qualify for federal jobless benefits if you're off work to clean up. Contact the FEMA by October 14th to apply. That number is 800-621-3362.