Orange, Rockland and Westchester declared disaster areas

Help is on the way for thousands who watched their businesses and personal belongings damaged by the April 15 nor”™easter that poured more than 8 inches of rain on the mid-Hudson region.

President Bush declared Orange, Rockland and Westchester counties disaster areas on April 23.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer asked for a total of 11 counties to be considered for disaster aid. Joshua Vlasto, a spokesman for U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, said the Federal Emergency Management Agency and State Emergency Management Office representatives are investigating the other eight areas Spitzer listed. More disaster declarations could follow, good news for residents hard hit by the storm.

If you are in one of the counties designated as a disaster, call 1-800-621-3362 or www.fema.gov