More Florida Counties Designated for Disaster Assistance
Release Date: August 26, 2008
Release Number: R4-08-189
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ATLANTA, Ga. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has amended the Aug. 26 major disaster declaration to include additional Florida counties. Four more counties now are eligible for the Individual Assistance (IA) program and eight more counties can receive expanded Public Assistance (PA) funding for infrastructure repair and restoration.
Individual Assistance
The amended presidential disaster declaration of Aug. 26 for Individual Assistance (IA) only designated Brevard County. Today's announcement adds Hendry, Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Volusia counties. This brings the total number of counties to five that are designated to provide disaster assistance to people. As a result, more homeowners, renters and businesses can receive assistance to help recover from the effects of Tropical Storm Fay.
People who suffered storm-related losses in these designated counties can apply online at www.fema.gov or call toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for those who are hearing- or speech-impaired. FEMA operators are available 7 a.m. to midnight local time seven days a week until further notice.
The FEMA Individual Assistance program can help eligible applicants with temporary housing assistance, uninsured personal property and medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, and other serious unmet needs. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S Small Business Administration are available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes in the designated counties.
Public Assistance
Brevard, Monroe, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties were designated on Aug. 24 as part of the initial major disaster declaration. The list now includes Baker, Bradford, Collier, Gadsden, Glades, Hardee, Hendry and Union counties, bringing to 12 the number of designated PA counties.
The announcement enables local governments and eligible private non-profit organizations in the designated counties to apply for federal funds to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Aug-2008 08:58:41