Irene disaster-relief help in Hempstead Monday

Free help will be available Monday for residents and business owners who experienced damages or losses from Tropical Storm Irene in August.

Hempstead village officials will host a disaster relief aid forum at 6:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Park Auditorium, on 335 Greenwich Street in Hempstead. The event is open to the public, not just village residents, officials said.

Representatives from the village, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration will inform residents about how to register for grants or loans to cover losses. The application deadline for funds is Oct. 31, officials said.

Officials at the community forum will address questions from residents related to processing disaster relief claims and reimbursement programs, including assistance from FEMA.

For more information, call the mayor’s office at 516-489-3400, ext. 264.