Arizona Disaster Recovery Update July 12
Release Date: July 12, 2002
Release Number: 1422-23
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Mesa, AZ -- The state of Arizona and the federal government have obligated almost $690,000 to the citizens of Apache, Coconino, Gila and Navajo counties and the Fort Apache Indian reservation in the state of Arizona. This assistance was made possible through the June 25 disaster declaration made by President George Bush in response to the Rodeo-Chediski fire beginning on June 18.
This amount does not include costs yet to be totaled to help the state and local governments pay for repairs to roads, bridges, buildings, equipment and eligible costs for debris removal, fire fighting and other protective measures.
Over 7,800 residents have registered for disaster assistance since President Bush declared the fire as a major disaster.
- Disaster housing checks have been issued to 483 households totaling
$267,500 to assist with temporary housing and minor home repairs. Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inspectors have completed 2,069 inspections.
- Help Centers have seen 1,834 victims seeking information including
answers to questions about their disaster assistance applications.
- Arizona officials are currently processing 1,529 requests for Individual
and Family Grant (IFG) assistance and have approved 33 for $135,925.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $284,800
in low-interest disaster loans for individuals and businesses of all
sizes to repair or replace damaged property.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance is still available through the Arizona
Department of Economic Security for those who lost income because of
the disaster. The deadline for filing an application is July 27.
- The FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY: 1-800-462-7585
for the hearing or speech impaired has received 939 calls seeking information
and answers to questions about their applications.
- Individuals may still register for disaster assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY: 1-800-462-7585). While most assistance offered under government programs covers basic needs only and will not compensate individuals for their entire loss, disaster recovery programs can give a helping hand to those in need on the road to recovery.
The Arizona Division of Emergency Management coordinates emergency services and the efforts of governmental agencies to reduce the impact of disasters on persons and property through disaster mitigation programs and the coordination of federal, state and local government agencies to respond to, and recover from, disasters through training and emergency response planning.
FEMA is the federal agency that coordinates response efforts to federal disasters. The agency's 10 regional offices work directly with the states to help plan for disasters, develop mitigation programs and meet needs when disasters occur. FEMA Region IX serves the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada, as well as the territories of American Samoa and Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.
Last Modified: Thursday, 14-Aug-2003 11:45:08