In a lot of areas in the City and elsewhere, it is still very much a recovery operation. New Yorkers are still assessing the damage and putting the pieces back together. The fact that there are less people at FEMA centers may not be because people have already gotten the help they need, but rather that they haven't had time to get around to it or even know about them since they've been in the dark so long. We need to make sure that help is there when they do get a chance to look into it.

New York lawmakers from both parties gathered today to call on FEMA to extend the December 31st deadline to apply for aid for small businesses that suffered damage during Sandy. Speaking on the steps of City Hall, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney said many businesses are still assessing the extent of their damage and economic losses. She added, “Sixty days is just not enough time to allow the hundreds of thousands of affected businesses a chance to file their claims.”

It comes as FEMA begins to scale back its operations in the five boroughs, citing a decrease in demand. The agency is also closing two centers, one in Rockaway Park in Queens and the other in Red Hook in Brooklyn. Other centers remain open in the boroughs.

What’s your reaction to the closings of recovery centers? Is it time to cut back, or is there still a need for emergency assistance? If you are a resident or know one living in an affected area, how easy has it been to access FEMA? Do you support extending the deadline for small businesses to apply for aid? How have small businesses been impacted in your neighborhood?

Reply with your thoughts, using the link above.

FEMA's work is not complete and what it has done in several respects has
been low grade.

For example, there is a giant tree in my yard that is leaning against wires
going into a neighbor's house. If the tree goes, perhaps as a result of snow
or the wires breaking, then the neighbor's house will be damaged.

The tree should be cut down to prevent damage, but FEMA said they would do
nothing and would pay nothing.

Joe
Port Richmond

I have been asking all along where are all of these politicians? It took
her this long to do what, nothing as far as I'm concerned. These stories have been on
every night on New York 1 the call and FOX has someone from the devastated area on their shows and there has been trouble with the response from FEMA THE RED CROSS and
everyone else that should have meet all our needs.

These people have paid for insurance for years and because someone decides to change the wording they are literally left out in the cold. They all have no shame when they go to sleep at night and put their head on their pillow the last persons on their mind are not even one tax paying New Yorker.

Maxxiee
Morris Park

I think it's terrible. So many homeowners are still without a home of their own. So many businesses are lost and their owners trying to rebuild. How could FEMA think they are not needed as much? Typical govt garbage. They want to make sure all their agents are home for the Holidays. But what about all the misplaced homeowners? Where do they go for the Holidays?

when all is said and done, money dispersed, homes fixed and displaced persons in new housing, we all know that in years to come there will be some after affects due to mold and dust. How will our state and government agencies deal with this problem? It could be extremely costly...IE: 9/11 first responders.

H
Staten Island