Residents of Western New York affected by serious flooding earlier this month now have access to state insurance officials to answer their questions and concerns.

The New York State Insurance Department set up its Mobile Command Center in Gowanda, N.Y., earlier this week with personnel to address inquiries regarding insurance policies and coverage and assist with insurance-related complaints, the department said.

The mobile command center has now moved to Silver Creek, N.Y., to assist residents in that area.

The command center, staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily as needed, will assist residents in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Erie counties, which suffered serious flooding on Aug. 9 and 10, leading Gov. David A. Paterson and other elected officials to urge the federal government to declare a federal disaster area for the parts of Western New York affected the most.

In addition to the on-site disaster recovery assistance, the department has also set up a hotline for residents seeking direction on insurance matters. The hotline (800-339-1759) operates weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.