Realistic Expectations Essential To Disaster Recovery
Release Date: August 29, 2008
Release Number: 1785-005
» More Information on Florida Tropical Storm Fay
ORLANDO, Fla. -- State and federal recovery officials urge residents in Florida's five declared counties to be practical, pro-active and realistic as they begin recovering from the record rains and local flooding caused by Tropical Storm Fay.
Currently homeowners, renters and businesses in Brevard, Hendry, Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Volusia counties are eligible to apply for a wide range of state-FEMA Individual Assistance programs to help with disaster-related damage and loss.
Federal Coordinating Officer Tom Davies of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and State Coordinating Officer Craig Fugate, Director of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), offered recovery tips and strategies for individuals facing new post-disaster realities:
- Dont wait. Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible. The greatest financial funding for individuals and households in this disaster probably will come from National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) coverage. Nearly 2.2 million Florida homeowners and renters currently are covered by NFIP policies;
- Register with FEMA even if you are insured. Once you are enrolled, you retain the option of possible state-federal help, especially if you are underinsured;
- There is no magic wand to make things right. Government disaster assistance covers basic needs only and normally will not compensate individuals for their entire loss;
- A low-cost disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a major source of recovery funding. If you receive a disaster loan application from the SBA it must be completed and returned. You will not be forced to take a loan you don't want, but the information on the application is needed to determine eligibility for possible other federal assistance;
- The recovery process is designed to be responsive to individual and household needs. The state and FEMA place Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in hard-hit communities so recovery specialists can talk directly with storm survivors to answer questions and provide disaster information. It helps to register with FEMA before visiting a disaster recovery center and to bring relevant paperwork whenever possible;
- Stay in touch with FEMA by visiting a DRC or selecting the FEMA Hotline option at FEMAs tele-registration lines. The Helpline allows registered applicants to update contact information, re-schedule damage inspections or track the progress of their assistance application; and
- Disaster recovery takes time. Disasters are major disruptive events, and it helps to have realistic expectations of what can be done and how long it takes.
Disaster registration takes about 20 minutes by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing or speech impaired. Current FEMA Helpline hours are 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week with multi-lingual operators available. Online registration is available at www.fema.gov.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
SBA's disaster loans are the primary form of federal assistance for non-farm, private sector disaster losses. Disaster loans from SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations fund repair and replacement of disaster damaged real and personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 or visit online at www.sba.gov or email SBA's customer service center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
For statewide disaster information and to find out how you can Get A Plan! For disasters, please visit www.FloridaDisaster.org
Last Modified: Monday, 01-Sep-2008 11:37:27