Politics & Government

Sandy Refugees Take on FEMA

Rally in Mineola draws over 100 angered by insurance loopholes.

Hurricane Sandy victims rallied Thursday to send FEMA the message that they won't be backing down soon.

Over 100 Sandy refugees from Sandy Victims Fighting FEMA, many of whom are still homeless or soon to be homeless as their aid runs out, stood in front of the Nassau Legislature in Mineola asking FEMA to close devastating loopholes.

"It's absurd, it's ridiculous, it's uncalled for," said County Executive Ed Mangano, who spoke at the rally.

Find out what's happening in Mineolawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sandy Victims Fighting FEMA joined together to fight an "Earth Movement Exclusion" from policies. The policy has racked up costs of reconstructing their homes by saying houses damaged by the earth moving are not covered. Since flooding cleared out grounds underneath homes in Sandy, insurance companies have not been covering the damage.

10 months after Sandy, many have been held back by not being able to afford to reconstruct their homes, despite still paying taxes and mortgages on their property.

Find out what's happening in Mineolawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I know how hurt you are and I know how often you've felt like giving up and packing it in," said Scott Primiano. "I am going to as you for the greater good of the whole to keep your voices loud."

"We've heard some of these ridiculous reports they've used to deny a claim," said claims adjuster Dave Charles at the rally. "Then they give you the false hope of an appeal."

FEMA officials say they are simply following the rules set aside in contracts and policies. Because of this, each official urged those struggling with the loophole to keep fighting and writing to lawmakers asking them to close the loophole.

"My mother always said everybody makes mistakes," said Charles. "It just matters that you correct the mistake."


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