Forest Hills Hopes For Disaster Funds

Forest Hills residents and local leaders are hopeful that they will receive the benefit of federal disaster funds after a macroburst with 125 mile-per-hour winds swept through the community. The storm, which claimed the life of one woman and caused widespread damage, has been the singular focus of the community since it blew through on Sept. 16.

City Council member Karen Koslowitz, D-Forest Hills, has been touring the community every day since the storm, and said she believes the city has done a great job cleaning up, but that federal funds are a necessity if the community is to recover quickly.

"The city agencies have really worked very hard, and everybody is out there doing a good job," she said. "Nobody ever expected a tornado to go through Forest Hills. Now, after this, hopefully we'll never have one again but we all have to sit down and talk about this."

In order for the Federal office of Emergency Management to provide funds and help for residents who have experienced loss, the total amount of damage sustained across the affected area must reach $25 million. The affected area would include most of Queens and Brooklyn, all of which were impacted by high-speed, swirling winds, lightning and hail. FEMA is currently investigating the damage in both boroughs.

Koslowitz said that in addition to the dollar amount of destruction caused, the blocking of over 100 streets in the community was a concern for police, fire and ambulance services.

"On the streets that were [blocked] if somebody had to go to a hospital, they  would have had to go in a different way and carry the person through the street to get them to an ambulance."

To help compile a compendium of damages, and to assist anyone who might still have a claim or need assistance with branch and tree removal, the mayor's office has asked residents to call 311. Operators at the city's informational service will be able to direct residents with questions to the right city agency.

In addition, some homeowners who have large claims over $5,000 can contact the office of state Senator Toby-Ann Stavisky (D-Forest Hills).

Stavisky has partnered with Asian Americans for Equality to help put together loans with a quick turnaround for residents with claims that need urgent attention.

 "The storm that ravaged our communities in Queens lasted only 20 minutes, but the damage it caused will take a great deal longer to repair," Sen. Stavisky said in a statment.  "These are items that are expensive to replace, and these are costs for which homeowners may not have money immediately available.  I am pleased to announce this loan program so that homeowners can quickly obtain funds to make their homes livable again."

Loans through the program can be between $5,000 and $20,000, with a ten year term and a four percent interest rate.

MacDonald Park, which for many represents the visual epicenter of the destruction, will be getting an as-yet undetermined amount from Koslowitz's member item budget to help revitalize the park and replace many of the trees which were destroyed. 

"There's no question that I'm going to put money into the park to make it whole again and make it pretty, but it's never going to look like it did before, it's going to take years and years and years," Koslowitz said. "It definitely changed the character of the neighborhood, somewhat."