Disaster Assistance Update: $30 Million In FEMA Assistance, Two Months After Floods And Landslides
Release Date: July 11, 2002
Release Number: 1410-75a
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides
| 6,140 | applicants have registered for disaster assistance in designated counties |
| $10.08 million | disbursed for Temporary Disaster Housing |
| $ 3.80 million | in Individual and Family Grants Approved |
| $ 6.37 million | in SBA Loans |
| $10.44 million | obligated federal funding to restore public infrastructure |
| $ 30.69 million | TOTAL |
Beckley, WV -- More than $30 million in federal and state disaster aid as been disbursed in West Virginia to help residents recover from the severe storms, flooding and landslides of early May. Officials expect assistance figures to increase in the ongoing disaster-recovery effort.
In the two months since President Bush declared a major disaster for the state, 6,140 persons have registered for disaster assistance. The application period ended July 5.
In response to Gov. Bob Wise's request, the president on May 5 designated McDowell, Mercer, Mingo and Wyoming counties as disaster areas. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials expanded assistance for Kanawha and Raleigh counties. Funding also was added for restoration of disaster-damaged public facilities in Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Summers and Wyoming counties. FEMA Coordinator Justo Hernandez said federal, state, local and voluntary agencies continue to work to rebuild the community.
State and federal disaster assistance for families and businesses now totals $19.59 million, including $10.08 million disbursed by FEMA for temporary housing costs and $6.37 million approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest disaster loans. The state also has approved $3.14 million under its Individual and Family Grant Program.
"Although the application period has closed, we are still going to be here for our applicants," said Steve Kappa, director of the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services. "Individuals and families we are assisting, 6,140 in all, can contact our Helpline as often as necessary with any questions they have on the status of their assistance. We are only a phone call away."
To reach the Helpline, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with difficulty hearing or speaking may call the TTY number, 1-800-462-7585, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Here is a description of the response and recovery efforts to date by state, federal and voluntary agencies:
REGISTRATIONS
- 6,140 persons receiving damages in the designated counties have registered for assistance.
- The FEMA Helpline has received 6,658 calls from disaster-assistance applicants requesting information or an update on their application status.
| County | Total Applicants |
| Kanawha | 35 |
| McDowell | 4,660 |
| Mercer | 915 |
| Mingo | 325 |
| Raleigh | 77 |
| Wyoming | 128 |
| Total | 6,140 |
EMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCE
- FEMA has disbursed more than $10.1 million to 5,507 households to assist with temporary rental housing and minor home repairs.
- Mobile homes and travel trailers are available to those who need a place to live while repairs are being made or a more permanent housing plan is being made. FEMA provides them on a case-by-case basis.
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM
- People affected by the disaster have submitted 924 loan applications to the SBA.
- SBA has approved more than $6.37 million in low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and business owners.
Eligible small businesses have until Feb. 5, 2003 to request working capital assistance through SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Applications may be obtained by calling (800) 659-2955.
THE INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY GRANT PROGRAM (IFG)
The State of West Virginia has activated the Individual and Family Grant
Program (IFG) to help people with unmet disaster-related needs not sufficiently
covered by insurance or other disaster-assistance programs. People can
use these grants to cover disaster-related expenses such as essential
home repairs, replacement of essential personal property or transportation.
The state administers the program in which FEMA funds 75 percent and the
state funds 25 percent.
- The state has approved more than $3.8 million in grants to 1,269 households.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (INFRASTRUCTURE)
- The six counties designated eligible for public assistance have removed and disposed of more than 40,000 tons of flood-related debris. FEMA pays 75 percent of costs associated with debris removal.
- The last day for curbside pick-up of flood-related debris in McDowell County is Friday, July 12.
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
Claims totaling $5,431 has been paid to persons who lost time from work
due to the disaster.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 26-Aug-2003 16:51:51