Super Typhoon Pongsona: The First 100 Days Over $300 Million In Disaster Relief And Assistance
Last Year's Most Costly Disaster in U.S.
Release Date: March 12, 2003
Release Number: 1446-48
» More Information on Guam Super Typhoon Pongsona
Dededo, Guam -- In the first 100 days following Super Typhoon Pongsona, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and 28 other federal agencies provided more than $300 million in disaster relief and assistance in Guam, making it the country's most costly natural disaster in 2002 in a single state or territory.
Pongsona struck Guam on December 8, 2002. Since then, over a third of a billion dollars in assistance has been provided to individuals, businesses and public entities on Guam who suffered losses as a result of the typhoon.
Assistance has included
- $60 million in initial response costs
- $38.8 million for housing and home repair
- $75.6 million to cover other uninsured disaster-related needs
- $130 million in SBA low-interest loans
- $330,000 for crisis counseling for victims
- $1.3 million in disaster unemployment assistance
- $5.0 million for public assistance including buildings, protective measures, and utilities
"Thanks to the great collaboration of federal and other agencies, this has been one of the most effective and significant disaster recovery operations I've seen," said David Fukutomi, federal coordinating officer. "Our new housing program paved the way for us to disburse an average of $2 million a day-a dramatic response to the critical needs of Guam and its citizens."
"The support has been overwhelming," said Governor Felix P. Camacho. "While a very costly storm, the efforts to assist the people of Guam pick up the pieces from the worst storm in 100 years is just an example of the commitment of FEMA and all the members of the federal family."
RECOVERY OPERATIONS HIGHLIGHTS
Even as agencies were responding with emergency assistance, FEMA was launching its disaster assistance programs for Guam residents and businesses in close coordination with GovGuam's
Office of Civil Defense. In the first 100 days, FEMA and its partners in recovery provided the following aid:
- Registered nearly 29,000 individuals through FEMA's 1-800 teleregistration number.
- Delivered the first assistance check just 10 days after the declaration.
- Established a local multilingual Helpline to help applicants check on the status of their applications. Operators fluent in Chamorro, Chuukese, Tagalog, Spanish, and Cantonese handled 17,850 calls. The Helpline also
- Worked closely with Guam Post Master to contact 960 applicants whose addresses were invalid.
- Called over 4,500 applicants to clarify insurance issues to ensure all eligible assistance was provided.
- Handled another 20,700 calls at the national FEMA Helpline.
- Set up three Disaster Recovery Centers-in Yigo, University of Guam Field House, and the Inarjan Senior Center-to provide information to more than 35,000 disaster victims.
- Provided more than 4,000 individuals with counseling services to help victims deal with the stress that accompanies a major disaster.
- In order to expedite loan applications, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) established a temporary processing center, moving equipment and personnel from Sacramento, Ca, to Guam. It has approved $130 million in low-interest disaster loans.
- FEMA worked closely with GovGuam's Community Partners in Recovery (CPR) to help victims with medical and special needs and other services not covered by regular assistance programs.
- In concert with other programs, FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Program will earmark over $20 million to GovGuam to spend on typhoon-resistant projects. The figure is a percentage of the total cost of the disaster.
Debris/Hazardous Waste
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers established six debris reduction sites, which accepted 150,000+ cubic yards of metals, construction and vegetative debris.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency coordinated two Hazardous Household Waste collection programs.
RESPONSE ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTS
In the days and weeks immediately following the typhoon, FEMA assigned dozens of federal agencies to respond to the massive devastation on Guam. Twenty-two flights-both military and commercial--airlifted millions of dollars of supplies and 800 emergency response personnel.
Utilities. The typhoon knocked out power, toppled power poles, broke water lines, snapped cables and left the island with most utilities damaged or destroyed. In response to GovGuam's request for emergency power, FEMA responded accordingly:
- FEMA tasked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with providing emergency power. FEMA had 184 generators flown in for that purpose.
- A 750KW unit was installed at a critical wastewater pumping station.
- Others were provided to police and fire stations, schools and shelters, hospitals, and senior citizens or others with special needs.
- Flights brought heavy equipment, utility trucks, water tankers and water bladders.
Medical Needs. With the local hospital and clinics damaged by the typhoon, there was a need to augment the island's medical capabilities. Assistance provided included:
- The U.S. Air Force E-Med set up a 25-bed emergency medical field hospital in the parking lot of the Guam Memorial Hospital to provide supplemental medical care. The self-sustaining hospital was capable of operating seven days without resupplying.
- Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) from Ohio and California and the U.S. Air Force E-Med Team treated more than 2,000 patients. Teams included doctors, nurses, technicians, therapists, and pharmacists.
- U.S. Navy Hospital provided emergency care and ambulances.
Transportation.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) helped Guam International Airport assess its damages and provided assistance in reopening the airport.
- The U.S. Department of Transportation supported the transportation of people and equipment to Guam.
Commodities.
- Included in materials airlifted to Guam was 3.5 million pounds of vital commodities, including food, water, cots, lanterns and Coleman stoves.
- U.S. Pacific Fleet Command provided $4 million in relief supplies from around the world.
Housing.
- FEMA obtained 3,100 tents for typhoon victims whose homes were damaged or destroyed.
- GovGuam opened 15 shelters that housed 3262 people for a month.
Logistical Support.
- U.S. Forest Service provided logistical support at FEMA's warehouse on Guam, helped distribute supplies, and provided supplies to the Guam Fire Department.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 12-Mar-2003 10:08:48