More Than $300,000 In Disaster Assistance Approved For Ohio 

Release Date: July 23, 2003
Release Number: 1478-05

» More Information on Ohio Severe Storms and Flooding

Cridersville, OH - Disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) has reached $315,359, state and federal recovery officials said today.

"The aid has begun flowing," Federal Coordinating Officer Ron Sherman said. "The system is working to assist those in Ohio who suffered losses because of the floods."

But Ohio households who need aid must register so that assistance can reach them, officials emphasized.

"If you have property damages from the disaster, you should not hesitate to ask for help," Deputy State Coordinating Officer Richard Roman said. "Be sure to call and register. We can't help you if we don't know you had damage from the floods."

As the first step in applying for both federal and state aid, residents of Auglaize, Darke, Logan, Mercer, Shelby and Van Wert Counties whose property was damaged by the disaster should call the toll-free registration number from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week:

1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
For those who use TTY: 1-800-462-7585

Housing assistance approved for 110 Ohio households has now reached $237,384 in grants. Some eligible homeowners and renters with severe damage to their primary residence may receive a grant to obtain alternate housing. Some homeowners whose homes have suffered less severe damage may receive a grant to make the home livable.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans are available to assist renters, homeowners and small businesses with disaster-related expenses as well.

More than $77,974 in grants to 31 Ohio households has been approved for other serious disaster-related expenses under the federal disaster declaration. These grants are made to eligible households for needs covered neither by other programs nor by insurance. They may include disaster-related expenses such as repair or replacement of a damaged vehicle; transportation costs; replacement of personal property such as furniture and appliances; clean-up items; moving and storage of property while the home is repaired; and medical and dental expenses.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 06-Aug-2003 11:26:00