Disaster Assistance For Indiana Tops $6.5 Million
Release Date: July 24, 2003
Release Number: 1476-16
» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Kokomo, IN -- In just two weeks since the Presidential disaster declaration of July 11, more than
$6.5 million has been made available to assist in the recovery of thousands in Indiana affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began on Independence Day.
To date, $6,358,953 in grants and $172,800 in low-interest loans have been approved for Indiana residents who have applied for disaster assistance, according to figures released today by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Indiana State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Those who suffered damages or loss from the tornadoes, flooding and severe storms that began July 4 and occurred thereafter can still apply for assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free application number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech or hearing impairment can call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both lines are open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. The deadline to apply for assistance is September 9.
Most federal and state disaster assistance programs are designed to meet emergency needs in the form of disaster grants for immediate housing requirements and emergency repairs. These programs are meant to help people begin their recovery; they are not designed to return people's lives to their pre-disaster conditions.
By contrast, low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) help homeowners, renters and business owners repair or replace their disaster-related damages. SBA is the primary source of long-term disaster recovery loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes.
Local, state and federal recovery officials and voluntary organizations have combined efforts to assist victims of the severe weather in putting their lives back together. This is a summary of recovery activities as of close of business July 23:
- 3,452 Individuals had called to apply for assistance
- 498 People had visited a Disaster Recovery Center
- 1,002 Temporary rental assistance grants were approved, totaling $1,085,284
- 1,527 Emergency essential repair grants were approved, totaling $3,821,175
- 571 Other Needs Assistance grants were approved, totaling $1,452,493 - may include grants for medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation and other eligible expenses
- 8 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loan applications were approved, totaling $172,800.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance, which is administered by the state and funded by FEMA, is available to help individuals affected by the disaster who are not covered by regular unemployment insurance. Those interested should first call the FEMA toll-free application line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), then apply at your local WorkOne Center. WorkOne Centers can be found by calling 1-888-WORKONE or log on to the Department of Workforce Development web site at www.workforce.IN.gov/dwd/.
Crisis Counseling: People who have gone through a disaster such as a tornado and flooding may experience trouble sleeping, anxiety, irritability, depression and lack of concentration. Talking about disaster experiences and sharing feelings about them will help people feel better about what has happened. Those interested in crisis counseling services should call 1-800-564-6460. The phone line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Another form of disaster assistance available to victims of the tornadoes, severe storms and flooding is Disaster Legal Assistance provided by the State Bar Association. These disaster legal services are meant for low-income individuals who, prior to or because of the disaster, are unable to secure legal services adequate to meet their needs. To contact one of these attorneys, call 1-800-266-2581 and tell the operator you are a FEMA applicant. The first available attorney will return your call as soon as possible.
Voluntary Agencies are still providing services to victims of the disaster who have immediate needs. Indiana Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster and the Information and Referral Network, Inc. have set up an Indiana Flood Helpline for information and referrals to recovery resources and cleanup assistance. Call 888-259-2683, daily, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or register anytime at www.earss.com.
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are open for disaster victims to meet face-to-face with representatives from FEMA and other assistance agencies and get their questions answered about disaster assistance. The following centers are open 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday until further notice:
- Wells County EMA at 223 West Washington Street in Bluffton
- Adams County Complex, 313 West Jefferson Street in Decatur (Opens Friday, July 25)
- Worthman Office Mall, Suite 140, 5800 Fairfield Ave. in Fort Wayne
- Johanning Civic Center at 1500 N. Reed Road (U.S.31) in Kokomo
- South Vigo High School, Room 104, 3737 South 7th St. in Terre Haute
The following two centers will be closing at the end of the business day on Saturday, July 26:
- Corp Community Center, 1615 Meridian Street in Anderson
- Tippecanoe County EMA at 629 North 6th Street in Lafayette
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) The SBA has issued 2,318 loan applications to homeowners and 581 to business owners. Officials urge applicants to complete their loan paperwork as soon as possible, even if they have not received a final settlement from their insurance company. If the loan application is not returned it will delay other forms of disaster assistance. SBA representatives are available at all Disaster Recovery Centers for applicants who need assistance completing their loan paperwork.
Disaster Assistance by County
MEDIA NOTE: The following chart shows a county-by-county breakdown of telephone applications received and grants approved for the Individuals and Households Program in the Indiana disaster-declared counties. All figures are as of close of business, Wednesday, July 23.
| Individuals and Households Program | Individuals and Households Program | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County | Apps Rcvd | Grants Approved | Amount Approved | County | Apps Rcvd | Grants Approved | Amount Approved |
| Adams | 250 | 160 | $623,712 | Kosciusko | 5 | ||
| Allen | 290 | 147 | $336,817 | Madison | 79 | 50 | $104,596 |
| Benton | 0 | Marion | 116 | 47 | $71,088 | ||
| Blackford | 10 | 5 | $11,847 | Miami | 73 | 45 | $118,242 |
| Boone | 11 | Montgomery | 5 | ||||
| Carroll | 122 | 85 | $422,680 | Morgan | 11 | 6 | $22,064 |
| Cass | 139 | 66 | $186,224 | Newton | 24 | 15 | $34,069 |
| Clay | 31 | 10 | $16,039 | Noble | 1 | ||
| Clinton | 22 | 15 | $74,389 | Parke | 113 | 20 | $23,572 |
| Delaware | 100 | 53 | $114,949 | Pulaski | 7 | 4 | $6,231 |
| Fountain | 10 | Randolph | 8 | ||||
| Fulton | 3 | Tippecanoe | 57 | 38 | $148,711 | ||
| Grant | 25 | 13 | $39,648 | Tipton | 100 | 65 | $212,124 |
| Hamilton | 75 | 54 | $197,018 | Vigo | 14 | 6 | $2,778 |
| Hancock | 5 | Wabash | 15 | 7 | $15,089 | ||
| Henry | 8 | Warren | 7 | 5 | $7,803 | ||
| Howard | 1,305 | 901 | $2,985,706 | Wayne | 8 | 5 | $8,871 |
| Huntington | 40 | 26 | $61,946 | Wells | 157 | 82 | $242,714 |
| Jasper | 89 | 58 | $182,206 | White | 53 | 18 | $48,510 |
| Jay | 40 | 17 | $52,586 | Whitley | 6 | ||
Media Note: While the number of applicants for each county is listed, the number of grants and the amounts are not listed if there are less than three approved claims for that county in order to preserve the privacy of individuals.
Last Modified: Friday, 25-Jul-2003 10:23:14