The catastrophic flooding and property damage caused by Monday’s heavy rain showed us that once-in-a-generation storms are happening more often.

Many homeowners are facing the daunting task of rebuilding and figuring out how to pay for it.

“It was a river of water coming in through my basement,” George Echeverria, of East Setauket, said. “Every penny that I had, I put into this house. I'm broke. Now I don't know what to do.”

People who do not have flood insurance are searching for relief. Their homeowners insurance policies likely will not cover the costs of repairs.

“You have to have a flood policy,” said Garrett Guttenberg , of Miller Insurance Agency. “If you don’t, there’s no insurance that is picking that up. Homeowners [insurance] is not paying for any of these rain events, unless it’s coming through a window or it’s coming through a roof. That’s a wind claim which contributed to a water loss.”

Team 12 Investigates went right to the state for answers about how uninsured homeowners can recoup some of the money they spend on repairs.

A spokesperson for the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) said their emergency managers have been embedded with Suffolk County since the morning of the storm and have already done initial surveys.

“We are beginning the assessment process to determine if there are enough damages to public buildings and infrastructure for a major disaster declaration request,” said Heather Groll, communications director for DHSES. “To make that request we need $37 million in damages.”

Disaster recovery experts will be dispatched in the coming days to begin cataloging specific damages needed to make the request. The state has 30 days to submit the request to the president. All emergency and major disaster declarations are made solely at the discretion of the president.

A Major Disaster Declaration secures financial assistance from the federal government through one or both of FEMA’s reimbursement programs – Public Assistance and Individual Assistance.

• Public Assistance provides funding to local governments and eligible nonprofits for debris removal, protective measures, and repairs to buildings and infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water and wastewater treatment facilities, critical infrastructure sites, schools, parks and other facilities.

• Individual Assistance provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster, who have uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs.

New York state has developed an online form allowing residents to self-report damages to their homes and/or businesses.

Providing this information will help state and local officials identify damages and strengthen potential requests for federal funding.

Residents can also contact the Department of Financial Services' Disaster Hotline with questions about insurance. They can get assistance with financial services questions, including insurance information regarding policy coverage for losses at 800-339-1759 from 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m.