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RYE, N.Y. -- Efrain Cajas lost nearly all his possessions when the house he rents flooded last weekend when Tropical Storm Irene blew through and caused Blind Brook to overflow.
"Everything, everything is gone," said Cajas who lives in a house on Locust Street with his wife, daughter and two grandchildren.
The water rose up to four feet in his living room and little was salvageable. Damage to the house is covered by the property owner's homeowner's insurance, but all of Cajas' possessions are not.
Cajas was contacted Thursday by a representative from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, so he will receive some disaster aid though he doesn't expect it to be much.
Cajas has to tally up all his losses and present it to FEMA, which will offer $42,500 at the most. Cajas said he lost much more.
This is the second time Cajas' house has been flooded. Back in 2007 when Blind Brook overflowed the damage to Cajas' home was much worst. FEMA offered him $1,200 in the end.
"The money isn't important," said Cajas, looking at warped family photographs, drying on his porch. "But losing these, these were important."
For more information about applying for disaster aid visit: http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm.
Were you hit especially hard by Irene? Has FEMA contacted you to provide some assistance?
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