Additional Oklahoma Counties Eligible for Individual Assistance
Release Date: July 14, 2007
Release Number: 1712-002
» More Information on Oklahoma Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that three additional counties affected by the recent storms, flooding and tornadoes are now eligible for Individual Assistance.
Comanche, Nowata and Pottawatomie have been added to the list of counties designated eligible for Individual Assistance. They join Ottawa and Washington counties, which were included in the original declaration. This brings the number of eligible counties to five.
Comanche, Ottawa, Pottawatomie and Washington counties are already designated for emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program.
State Coordinating Officer Fred W. Liebe said, "Oklahoma has suffered even more rain and extensive flooding in recent days. The assessments include both old and new flood damage. The addition of these new counties is crucial for their recovery."
Assistance may include grants to help with temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other aid programs and disaster unemployment assistance.
Federal Coordinating Officer Philip E. Parr said, "The decision to include these three counties came after an in-depth damage assessment, and continuing storms. We want to be sure eligible residents and business owners in the affected areas receive federal assistance to help in the rebuilding process."
Low-interest disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance or other sources.
Those who had losses due to the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding are encouraged to register online at www.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing- and speech-impaired. The toll-free numbers are available daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time) until further notice.
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: Monday, 16-Jul-2007 08:42:42