Texas Flood Assistance Tops $375 Million; 95,300 Register for Assistance
Release Date: July 20, 2001
Release Number: 1379-81
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Houston, TX --
- State/federal grants and loans totaling more than $375 million have been approved for people who sustained damages to their homes and personal property from flooding caused by Tropical Storm Allison.
- More than $139 million in grants have been approved for individuals to assist them with temporary housing and minor home repairs.
- State officials have approved more than $122 million for Individual and Family Grant (IFG) assistance. IFG may be used to cover disaster-related expenses, such as essential home repairs, replacement of personal property, transportation, and necessary or serious expenses not covered by insurance or other programs. The program is administered by the State and funded at 75 percent by FEMA and 25 percent by the State.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved disaster loans totaling more than $114,333,600 to homeowners, renters and business owners that suffered losses as a result of the disaster. A total of 24,190 applications have been received. These loans are used to repair residences, replace lost or damaged personal property, help businesses repair physical damage and replenish working capital.
- To date, 95,301 residents in 30 declared counties have registered for disaster assistance. The deadline for individuals to register for assistance is August 8.
- Thus far, more than 31,000 people have visited Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs). Currently, 13 centers are open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday - Saturday. The location of the DRC nearest you can be obtained by calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-525-0321. The FEMA website at www.fema.gov/news/eventnews.fema?id=115 also lists DRC locations.
- FEMA has a mobile DRC that travels to areas of greatest need. Through Tuesday, July 24, the mobile unit will be at the Melrose Park Community Center, 1001 Canino Road, Houston, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- A total of 5,119 individuals have taken advantage of crisis counseling at the DRCs. An interview with a qualified crisis counselor is available at each DRC.
- Mitigation counselors are available at each DRC to provide individuals with practical information on rebuilding after the flood. To date, a total of 9,580 individuals have met with mitigation counselors.
- Individuals may register for disaster assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration line at 1-800-462-9029(1-800-462-7585for hearing- and speech-impaired persons). Registration lines are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. If you have already applied for assistance, and want to check on the status of your application or update your current information, call the toll-free Helpline number 1-800-525-0321(1-800-462-7585for hearing- and speech-impaired persons). The Helpline is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
- The deadline for applying for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been extended to August 15 in the 28 originally declared counties. The extended deadline to apply in Grimes and Harrison counties is August 22. To apply for DUA, people should call 713-982-7400. Outside the 713 area code, call 800-939-6631.
- DUA is available through the Texas Workforce Commission for those who lost income because of the disaster, including farmers, farm workers, migrant farm workers, and other self-employed individuals. Some 736 claims have been approved, and $129,197 disbursed in unemployment assistance.
Last Modified: Friday, 17-Oct-2003 15:31:10