Suffolk Notebook: Individual Assistance Available for Suffolk Residents

Suffolk County residents learned on Friday that individuals who suffered damages caused by   could receive federal aid.

Losses not covered by insurance, such as temporary housing aid, home repair and replacement of some essential household items, could be covered. For small business owners, loans up to $2 million are available through the Small Business Administration.

Suffolk's declaration came one day after Nassau received individual assistance recognition.

Municipalities in Suffolk are also available for public assistance for actions such as debris removal or restoration to damaged public facilities.

Suffolk County residents can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

(Update: The Disaster Recovery Center in Suffolk is now , and the to register for aid was set for October 31, 2011.)

Governor to National Grid: 'Get the Power on Now'

Shortly announcing Suffolk's individual assistance declaration, Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned National Grid, the company which currently holds a service contract with the Long Island Power Authority, that it better hurry up if it wants to renew its contract.

"In the long term, I will advise the LIPA trustees to consider this experience, and the utility’s past performance responding to major storms, when National Grid seeks to renew its contract with LIPA," the governor said in a statement. "In short, if National Grid hopes to renew its contract, they better get the power on now."

Howard Steinberg, LIPA's chairman of the board of trustees, responded with the following: "The Board takes Governor's Cuomo's comments concerning the restoration efforts of National Grid which operates the electric system on Long Island and LIPA with the utmost seriousness and shares the governor's concerns about the speed of restoration efforts and the communication lapses which have occurred."

LIPA pledged to restore 90 to 95 percent of customers who lost power due to Tropical Storm Irene by Friday and 99 percent by Sunday. Friday afternoon officials said they were on track to hit the Friday goal, and by Saturday morning, according to its outage map, 93 percent of customers had been restored by 8 a.m.

West Nile Detected; Gardiner County Park Closes at Night

Following news that a mosquito sample tested positive for West Nile Virus, county health and parks officials announced the closing of Gardiner County Park in Bay Shore between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. until further notice.

The park is the second this summer to be limited in access; Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown remains closed between dusk and dawn for the same reason.

So far this summer, 65 instances of West Nile have been detected in mosquitos and 24 in birds. One human - who has fully recovered - has been reported to be infected in Suffolk, according to the county.