Toll-Free Application Number Available For Counties Affected By Severe Storms
Release Date: July 17, 2003
Release Number: 1474-53
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides
Charleston, WV -- Residents of Doddridge, Harrison and Ritchie are advised to call the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) toll-free number to apply for disaster assistance. Anyone who received storm damages during the period of June 11 through midnight July 15 is eligible and should call even if they have already registered with the Red Cross, Salvation Army or other voluntary agencies or have reported damage to local officials. To be considered for state/federal assistance, they still need to call FEMA.
Louis Botta, federal coordinating officer for FEMA and Steve Kappa, state coordinating officer for the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services (WVOES), encourage those affected by the severe storms and flooding to apply for assistance immediately by calling the toll-free application number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (EST), Monday through Saturday until further notice. Those with a speech- or hearing-impairment may call TTY 1-800-462-7585.
To date, 17 counties are eligible under the June 21 major disaster declaration for federal/state aid to help meet the recovery needs of stricken residents and business owners. The counties declared for Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA) are Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mingo, Nicholas, Wayne, Wyoming, and Monongalia. Berkeley, Doddridge, Harrison, Putnam and Ritchie are eligible for IA only.
The declaration makes residents of these counties eligible for a wide range of programs such as funding for housing assistance; U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses to repair or replace damaged property; disaster unemployment assistance; and grants for serious needs and necessary expenses not met by other programs.
Businesses owners and residents who suffered damages or losses and have insurance should first contact their insurance company. If they have additional needs not met by their insurance, they should apply for disaster assistance. "A variety of disaster recovery programs are available to help cover uninsured and underinsured losses. We ask disaster survivors to make that toll-free call and let the experts decide what they may be eligible to receive," said Kappa.
When calling to apply, have the following information available:
- Your current phone number;
- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying;
- Your Social Security number, if available;
- A general list of damages and losses you suffered;
- Good directions to the property that was damaged;
- If insured, your insurance policy number or the agent and company name; and
- General financial information.
According to Kappa, individuals who have suffered damage should call the application number immediately. "Even if you don't have all the information necessary, go ahead and make the call," he said. "The sooner you get started in the process, the sooner you may receive help."
Last Modified: Thursday, 17-Jul-2003 14:21:02