The office of Gov. Deval Patrick has released this press release on financial assistance available for those suffering flood damage:

BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick announced Monday evening that federal aid will become available to Massachusetts individuals and businesses hardest hit by the most recent flooding events. The assistance was authorized under a Major Federal Disaster Declaration issued by President Barack Obama after a review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s analysis of Patrick’s request for federal assistance for those most impacted by the flooding beginning March 12 and continuing. The Massachusetts congressional delegation advocated strongly in support of the request.

The president’s action makes Individual assistance programs available to affected homeowners, renters and businesses in a seven-county area. The counties include Essex, Middlesex, Worcester, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth Counties. Given this week’s storm and anticipated flooding, the governor will expand his request to cover any damage resulting from the ongoing weather event.

“I am thankful to President Obama for recognizing the havoc the storm and flooding has inflicted on communities across the commonwealth,” Patrick said. “Now that our request for a disaster declaration has been granted, critical federal aid can reach the individuals, families and businesses that need it the most. People dealing with effects of this week’s storm can rest assured we stand ready to make a request for additional assistance so they can get the help we anticipate they’ll need.”

The available Individual Assistance Programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration include Individuals and Households Programs, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Legal Assistance, Tax Relief and Small Business Administration Disaster Loans. This assistance will assist individuals and businesses in their recovery from the impacts of flooding.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can initiate the application for assistance process by calling the FEMA Teleregistration numbers: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or, for the hearing or speech impaired, 1-800-462-7585. They can also register online at fema.gov. The toll-free teleregistration numbers will operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. and on weekends — Saturday and Sunday — from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. until further notice.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made.

For additional information about MEMA and winter and flooding preparedness, go to mass.gov/mema. Follow MEMA updates on Facebook and Twitter.