FEMA Provides More Than $85.1 Million To Evacuees In Georgia 

Release Date: September 30, 2005
Release Number: R4-05-144

» More Information on Georgia Hurricane Katrina Evacuation

ATLANTA , Ga. --Victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita who evacuated to Georgia have received $85,107,674 million for relief aid from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Officials estimate there are well over 45,000 displaced persons in Georgia . To date, 37,317 evacuee households have applied for assistance. FEMA assistance for evacuees includes funds for food, shelter, clothing, medical and dental care, funeral expenses and other emergency needs. In addition, FEMA provides financial and direct assistance for temporary housing assistance to those persons who are eligible.

To receive FEMA aid, individuals must first be registered. That can be done by going online to www.fema.gov or calling FEMA on its toll-free telephone line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Due to the large volume of calls, applicants are urged to call during off-peak hours such as late evening or early morning. The registration line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Helping hands reached out to these evacuees from a number of other federal agencies, state agencies, volunteer groups such as the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, church groups and similar volunteer agencies. Individuals in Georgia also have given food, clothing and monetary help in this coordinated effort.

The Red Cross provides emergency shelter to any victims of a declared disaster. With these storm victims and the large number of displaced persons, the Red Cross is providing temporary housing vouchers to evacuees. To register for that aid, call 1-800-975-7585. The agency is advising callers to contact their local Red Cross if they find the national hurricane relief number continuously busy.

Federal agencies such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are also assisting this coordinated effort between FEMA, the state and volunteer groups. HUD is providing housing assistance through local Public Housing Authorities for pre-disaster HUD assisted and homeless families. Evacuees registered with FEMA and seeking housing help from HUD should call 1-800-955-2232 and ask about the HUD Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Program (KDHAP).

Last Modified: Tuesday, 04-Oct-2005 08:43:40