Deadline for Disaster Assistance Approaches 

Release Date: November 5, 1999
Release Number: 1297-49

» More Information on Delaware Hurricane Floyd

NEW CASTLE, Del. -- New Castle County residents who suffered losses in the flooding and storm-driven rains caused by Hurricane Floyd Sept.17 have until Nov. 19 to register for most disaster assistance programs through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), according to federal and state disaster recovery officials.

Federal Coordinating Officer Steven Adukaitis and State Coordinating Officer Vince Sakovich urge those who have not yet done so to register as soon as possible by calling the toll-free registration line at 1-800-462-9029, open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. Hearing- or speech-impaired persons may call the TTY registration line at 1-800-462-7585.

Renters, homeowners or business owners who live or do business in New Castle County may be eligible for disaster aid because of flooding after Hurricane Floyd. Programs available include disaster housing assistance, grants to meet disaster-related needs unmet by other assistance programs and U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans. Individuals who register with FEMA and receive an SBA application need to also file that application with SBA by the Nov. 19 deadline. However, businesses applying for Economic Injury Disaster Loans have until June 21, 2000 to submit applications.

"FEMA is here to help in the recovery effort," said Adukaitis. "Part of the recovery process is teaching people what they can do to avoid this kind of devastation in the future. That's the concept behind a nationwide initiative called Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant Communities. The lesson that was proven in Hurricane Floyd is that the people who weathered this extraordinary disaster best were those who took ordinary, common-sense measures ahead of the storm to make themselves less vulnerable."

For answers to questions about the disaster assistance programs call the Helpline at 1-800-525-0321. The hearing- or speech-impaired may call the TTY Helpline at 1-800-462-7585.

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Dec-2003 09:35:37