FEMA Disaster Aid Reaches Over $3.5 Million
Release Date: July 7, 2003
Release Number: 1473-14
» More Information on American Samoa Heavy Rainfall, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
Pago Pago, AS -- The American Samoa Government (ASG) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that over $3,500, 000 has been made available to the residents of American Samoa. This disaster assistance was made possible through the June 6 disaster declaration by President George Bush in response to the flash floods and severe mudslides of May 19-21.
This amount does not include costs yet to be totaled to help the territory and local governments pay for repairs to roads, bridges, buildings, equipment and eligible costs for debris removal.
- Over 1,300 residents have registered for disaster assistance since President Bush declared the disaster.
- Almost 1,900 residents have visited the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) located at the Lee Auditorium.
- The Territory/FEMA Helpline, at 633-3036 has received 1,073 calls seeking information and answers to questions about their applications.
- Individuals who suffered damages in the disaster may still register for disaster assistance by visiting the DRC Monday-Friday 7:30 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday 8:00 am to 12 noon.
In this disaster, due to lack of toll-free service in American Samoa, the FEMA Teleregistration and Helpline telephone numbers have not been available. All registrations have been taken at the DRC and questions and status updates have been made at the DRC or from a local Helpline number. The basic language is Samoan; so much of the communication between the victims and FEMA has been done through the FEMA local hires.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 08-Jul-2003 14:58:23