FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Release 07-21
August 13, 2007

NYC OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCES OPENING OF DISASTER SERVICE CENTER AND PROVIDES UPDATE ON CITY’S RESPONSE TO LAST WEEK’S SEVERE WEATHER

MAYOR BLOOMBERG AUTHORIZES DISMISSAL OF ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING TICKETS IN AFFECTED AREA OF SOUTHWESTERN BROOKLYN; ON SATURDAY ALL STREETS CLOSED FOR WEATHER WILL REOPEN

The NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM) continues to coordinate the City’s response to the severe weather that impacted several neighborhoods on Wednesday, August 8, 2007. Today, OEM and the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) announced the opening of a Disaster Recovery Center for individuals impacted by last week’s tornado and severe weather.

Mayor Bloomberg has authorized the Department of Finance to dismiss all tickets issued for Alternate Side Parking violations in the 66th, 68th, 70th or 72nd Precincts from August 8th through August 10th will be dismissed. Individuals who received a ticket do not need to contest it. Those who have already paid will be issued a refund.

The Disaster Recovery Center is being opened to provide one central location where individuals in need of services, referrals or information can access a number of City, state and non-profit entities. The center will offer a number of services, including benefit and housing referrals, case management, health information, new clothing, insurance information and translation assistance.

The Disaster Recovery Center is located at 415 Ovington Avenue in Brooklyn, on the site of Mary White Ovington School (IS 30). It will be open today through Friday (August 17th) between the hours of 12:00PM and 7:00PM.

The center will be staffed by personnel from OEM, HRA, the NYC Departments of Homeless Services (DHS), Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and Buildings (DOB), the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (CAU) and Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), Catholic Charities, the American Red Cross of Greater New York, the New York City Clothing Bank, Tzu Chi, Disaster Chaplaincy Services and the New York State Department of Insurance.

The City has also continued to make progress clearing debris and reopening streets that were closed as a result of the storm.

• On Saturday, August 11th, all roads that were closed for debris removal and to facilitate damage assessment were reopened.
• DOB has vacated 20 properties and partially vacated 17 properties in the Bay Ridge and Sunset Park area. Representatives from DOB are working with homeowners at the Disaster Recovery Center to help them find licensed architects or engineers to assemble a remediation plan for the repair work, fill out paperwork, and obtain the proper work permits. The Buildings Department is also standing by to escort owners whose properties are vacated into their buildings to obtain emergency belongings.
• Additionally, The Brooklyn Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is standing by to assist property owners with finding information about architects licensed to conduct repair work. New Yorkers whose homes were affected can contact the AIA at (718) 259-0070.
• The Parks Department and Department of Sanitation have worked together to remove all debris from streets. The two departments responded to a total of 672 calls for downed trees and limbs. Their efforts are now focused on removing downed trees from Leif Ericson and Shore Road parks.
• The Department of Housing Preservation and Development conducted emergency repairs in 50 buildings. Once emergency repairs have rendered buildings safe, private contractors hired by property owners will complete any necessary repairs.
• The Police Department has maintained a continuous presence at the site of the vacated homes to ensure security.

Information for those affected by last week’s storm, as well as updated information on the City’s response, continues to be available at OEM’s website, www.nyc.gov/oem, or by calling 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115).

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CONTACT: Andrew Troisi 718-422-4888