Disaster Aid Commitment To Florida Exceeds $4.8 Billion
Release Date: March 30, 2005
Release Number: 1539-419
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Approved disaster assistance for Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne has exceeded $4.82 billion in the State of Florida, and will climb higher as recovery efforts for the 2004 hurricanes proceed.
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security and head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to Florida during a town hall meeting in Port Charlotte on Monday. He stressed that FEMA will remain in Florida for as long as it takes to assist individuals in need.
In the seven months since the first of four hurricanes impacted the Sunshine State, FEMA/ State Emergency Response Team (SERT) Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) continue to serve Floridians who have application status and program questions. Nearly 580,000 visitors have been helped by DRC program specialists.
FEMA housing inspectors are examining damaged properties daily, having visited nearly 882,500 dwellings to verify losses.
For individuals with no housing alternatives, FEMA and the State of Florida have provided more than 15,800 manufactured housing units – mobile homes and travel trailers – so displaced residents can have a safe, sanitary place to live.
To date, more than 1.247 million Floridians applied for federal and state assistance, receiving more than $1.168 billion in Individuals and Households Program assistance funds. Of that amount, $615.8 million cover assistance for other needs, which include repair or replacement of personal property, funeral expenses, and medical and dental costs related to the hurricanes. Another $551.8 million cover grants to pay for lodging expenses, rental assistance and minimal home repairs.
Nearly $1.17 billion have been approved for emergency response and protective measures including disbursing ice, water, ready-to-eat meals and disaster medical assistance immediately after the
hurricanes hit.
More than $869 million have been obligated in Public Assistance (infrastructure) funds to reimburse local governments and certain private, non-profit entities for recovery efforts they have undertaken to remove debris, and repair or rebuild damaged buildings and infrastructure.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has authorized $1.593 billion in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.
Applicants with questions about their application status or general disaster inquiries may call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing- and speech-impaired. The lines operate Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.
Attached is a county-by-county breakdown of individual disaster assistance provided to Floridians.
The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) is a collaboration of Florida’s state agencies led by the state coordinating officer. SERT’s mission is to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate their impacts. Visit www.floridadisaster.org for the latest information on the hurricane relief efforts.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 05-Apr-2005 15:27:45