NYS seeking Long Islanders' input on holiday weekend storm damage

Long Islanders impacted by the drenching storms over the July 4th weekend are being encouraged to report any damage from the weather to New York through an online form the state can use if it seeks federal disaster aid for recovery efforts.

The Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management and local townships are gathering information regarding the damage caused by severe wind and rain that felled trees and power lines after thunderstorms began Saturday evening, according to a news release from the Town of Riverhead. A link to the same form is also posted on the website for the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management.

"New York State has developed an online form allowing residents to self-report damages to their homes and/or business," the Riverhead release reads. 

"The purpose of this form is solely to collect information that may help State and local officials identify supplemental damages to develop and augment potential requests for available federal assistance programs," the release and the state's online form read. " ... Please note that completion of this form does not guarantee relief funding. It is for information purposes only."

Riverhead residents endured "tornado-type weather" with "60 to 80 mph winds," Mike Zaleski, the town's highway superintendent, previously told Newsday. Zaleski reported that 50 trees "or large limbs" fell and blocked roadways during the late Saturday storm.

The Town of Huntington is also among the municipalities calling on its residents to report damages to the state, spokesperson Christine Geed told Newsday. Upward of 100 trees were downed during the severe weather.over the long Independence Day weekend, Geed previously told Newsday.

Among other questions, the form — which can be filled out by homeowners, renters and business owners — asks if the person submitting it lost "personal, public, or private transportation" due to the inclement weather.