Frances Disaster Aid Clears $4.4 Million In North Carolina
Release Date: September 29, 2004
Release Number: 1546-017
» More Information on North Carolina Tropical Storm Frances
ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- North Carolina residents have received over $4.4 million in aid since President Bush issued a disaster declaration Sept. 10 following Tropical Storm Frances.
According to the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety's Division of Emergency Management (CCPS-DEM), the money represents more than $2.7 million in housing assistance and $1.77 million in assistance for other needs such as medical and dental expenses, personal property, transportation and funeral costs.
The following is a summary of the response and recovery activity since President Bush declared 34 counties eligible for federal disaster assistance Sept. 10.
- Applications for individual assistance have been received from 3,456 residents.
- Disaster housing assistance checks totaling $2,710,641 have been disbursed to residents to assist with temporary housing and home repairs.
- Other Needs Assistance, which provides money for necessary expenses and serious needs not covered by insurance such as medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, and moving and storage, totals $1,770,985.
- 24 FEMA inspectors are at work and have completed 1,638 property inspections.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued 2,569 low-interest disaster loan applications to homeowners, renters and businesses.
- 2,264 people have visited FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers since they opened. Representatives of state, federal and voluntary agencies, including loan officers from the SBA, are on-site to provide information and answer questions and concerns. There are currently six DRCs operational in the hardest hit areas of the state.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available through the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina for those who live or work in the declared disaster areas and are unemployed or have lost income as a direct result of the disaster. Residents may file for assistance by phone at 1-866-795-8877 or by visiting one of the state's 24 Employment Security Offices in counties declared as eligible for federal disaster aid.
Individuals may apply for disaster assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY: 1-800-462-7585 for speech- or hearing-impaired.
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: Wednesday, 29-Sep-2004 14:47:25