ALEXANDRIA, Va. — NCUA is working to assist credit unions and their members in areas affected by the recent snowstorm in Buffalo, N.Y. and an earthquake that struck the Big Island of Hawaii.

On Oct. 15, 2006, President George W. Bush declared federal emergency aid available for New York to provide required emergency measures to save lives and protect public health, safety, and property, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas. Federal funding is now available through this action for the affected counties of Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Orleans, N.Y.

On the same day, an earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale with 68 aftershocks hit Hawaii causing blackout conditions and sporadic damage. NCUA's nine staff members stationed in Hawaii are safe and busy contacting the 97 federally insured credit unions in the island chain to offer assistance. In addition, "NCUA continues to encourage federally insured credit unions to participate in the U.S. Department of Treasury's GoDirect campaign which ensures that citizens will receive their federal benefits without interruption in the aftermath of natural disasters," agency press statements read. More information is available at www.GoDirect.org and by calling toll-free: (800) 333-1795.