Help May Be At Hand For Transportation Losses
Release Date: September 17, 2004
Release Number: 1544-018
RICHMOND, Va. -- Owners of vehicles inundated by the muddy waters of Tropical Depression Gaston may be eligible for federal-state assistance.
Some 2,000 cars were damaged in the city of Richmond alone, said Benjamin Johnson, the city’s emergency services coordinator.
Owners of damaged vehicles should first call their insurance companies. It is possible their policies will cover the damage.
If the damage is not covered by insurance the next step is to call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The hearing or speech impaired should call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Registering with FEMA clears the way for one of two possible types of assistance.
The first is a low-interest loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). If an applicant is ineligible for an SBA loan, the application may be referred to the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) Program. ONA will require proof of vehicle registration, liability insurance, mechanic’s verification of repairs or total loss and explanation of need for more than one vehicle. Then, provided the damage is more than cosmetic, assistance may be available.
“Regaining mobility is critical to recovering from a disaster,” says Marianne C. Jackson, federal coordinating officer, who leads the federal disaster response. “People should seek help for the loss of transportation.”
Michael M. Cline, Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s state coordinating officer, added, “We want to help people who have been stranded by the storm get rolling on a properly titled and insured basis.”
On Sept.3, President Bush declared a major disaster for the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg and Richmond, and the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Hanover, Henrico and Prince George. The declaration triggered federal aid to disaster-stricken residents and business owners.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 17-Sep-2004 10:39:43