More Than $32 Million Approved For Disaster Aid
Release Date: December 20, 2002
Release Number: 1439-35
» More Information on Texas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Corpus Christi, TX -- Disaster aid has reached more than $32 million, according to state and federal officials. The following is a weekly update of the disaster recovery effort.
- Registrations for disaster assistance number more than 17,500 and officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have inspected more than 13,000 properties.
- Approved eligible amounts for disaster housing assistance, in the 18-county disaster area, total more than $14 million. Disaster Housing Assistance checks are approved for qualified individuals whose property was damaged or who have incurred temporary housing expenses as a result of the storm system.
- More than $13 million has been approved for Other Needs Assistance, which may include medical, dental and funeral expenses as well as personal property, transportation, and other disaster-related serious needs.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration has issued over 7,000 applications and approved almost $4.7 million for low-interest loans to business owners, homeowners and renters.
- The 18 designated counties eligible for Individual Assistance are: Aransas, Brazoria, Cameron, Fort Bend, Hardin, Harris, Hildago, Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Liberty, Montgomery, Nueces, Orange, San Jacinto, San Patricio, and Walker.
- The three remaining Disaster Recovery Centers will close their doors at the end of business today, Friday, December 20th. The centers, located at 3908 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, the National Guard Armory, 1198 Bluntzer Road, Robstown, and 17507 Imperial Valley, Houston, will cease operations at 6 p.m. More than 4,000 people visited the nine DRC locations opened during this disaster recovery period. Those people in need of disaster-related information can still contact the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585.
- Individuals who sustained disaster-related losses as a result of the tornadoes, severe storms and flooding from Oct. 24 - Nov. 15 have less than three weeks to register for assistance. Registration deadline for all those affected by this disaster is January 4, 2003. Those who have not yet applied need to call 1-800-621 FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired. The phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.
- Flooding is the leading cause of property loss from natural disasters in this country. Buying a national flood insurance policy is the first line of defense against economic losses caused by flooding. Anyone can buy flood insurance if his or her community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. For information, call the NFIP, toll-free, at 1-800-720-1090.
- A legal hotline has been established for those who were affected by the disaster and need legal assistance. The line is operated by FEMA under contract with the American Bar Association's Young Lawyers' Division and in cooperation with the Texas Bar Association. Volunteer lawyers are available to provide disaster-related advice free of charge. Those in need of advice can call 1-800 504-7030 twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and leave a message for a representative to get back in touch with them. This assistance is available to all Texas victims in the 18 designated counties.
- Those who are repairing their home or business from storm damage need to understand that repairs must comply with the building code for windstorm resistant construction if they wish to insure their property with the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
- For many victims, Disaster Unemployment Assistance deadlines may be drawing near. Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to workers who were affected by the disaster and who would not be eligible for regular unemployment. Those who believe they are eligible for assistance or those who need information on benefits and application deadlines may call the Texas Workforce Commission at 1-800-939-6631 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 22-Apr-2003 09:26:32