Washington, Coos, Curry Counties And Tribal Damage Added To Oregon Declaration
Release Date: December 21, 2007
Release Number: 1733-018
» More Information on Oregon Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that individuals and families in Washington County are now eligible to register with FEMA for disaster assistance. Coos and Curry counties, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz and Grand Ronde in Polk and Yamhill Counties are now eligible for Public Assistance.
With the addition of Washington County, there are six Oregon counties eligible for individual assistance for the effects of severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides of Dec.1-17. In addition to individuals and families in Washington County, individuals and families in Columbia, Clatsop, Polk, Tillamook, and Yamhill counties are also eligible for Individual Assistance.
Individual assistance, to be coordinated by OEM and FEMA, may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will also be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Washington County had already received federal disaster declarations authorizing full Public Assistance to local governments for damages from the December 1-17 severe weather. Coos and Curry counties and the Siletz and Grande Ronde tribes are in addition to Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln, Polk, Tillamook, and Yamhill counties which were previously declared for Public Assistance.
Under the Public Assistance Grant Program, FEMA awards grants to assist state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations with the response to and recovery from disasters. The program provides funding for debris removal, implementation of emergency protective measures and permanent restoration of infrastructure. The program also encourages protection from future damage by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures for all Oregon counties.
Public assistance is based on a partnership between FEMA, state and local officials. FEMA is responsible for managing the program, approving grants and providing technical assistance to the state and its applicants.
The SBA is the federal government's primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
The SBA may loan up to $200,000 to repair or replace homes and up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Up to $1.5 million is available for uncompensated business disaster losses.
Residents and business owners can receive information about SBA disaster loans and help with the application process by calling the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 or visiting the SBA web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
Before visiting any of the Disaster Recovery Centers, disaster victims are urged to register for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by going on-line at www.fema.gov. The TTY number is 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired. Those who have questions may visit a DRC to meet with disaster recovery specialists.
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, 24-Dec-2007 09:19:35