Disaster Assistance Update Nearly $15 Million In Federal/State Assistance Approved
Release Date: August 14, 2003
Release Number: 1474-92
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides
Charleston, WV -- State, federal and local officials and voluntary agencies continue to help West Virginians who were affected by the severe storms, flooding, and landslides that began on June 11, 2003 and lasted through July 15, 2003. To date, nearly $15 million in disaster assistance has been approved for residents to help meet their disaster-recovery needs.
Recovery services summary at close of business Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003:
- Nearly 5,000 individuals have called the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) toll-free teleregistration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY number 1-800-462-7585. Applications are taken by phone 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed weekends). The deadline to apply for most federal/state disaster assistance programs is Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003 at 5 p.m.
- Nearly $7.3 million in FEMA awards has been approved to help disaster-affected homeowners and renters who need a place to stay or who only need to make repairs for their homes to be functional.
- More than $2.2 million has been approved for residents to help cover other eligible disaster needs such as replacing some personal property, medical, dental and funeral expenses, vehicle costs and certain other expenses.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued 2,580 applications to homeowners and 459 applications to businesses and has approved more than $5.1 million in low-interest, disaster loans.
- Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) have assisted 1,578 visitors as of Aug. 13, 2003. Currently, a center is open in Kanawha County, but will close at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15, 2003. Those affected by the disaster are encouraged to visit the center to talk face-to-face with a recovery specialist and to check the status of their applications. If unable to visit the DRC in Kanawha County, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
- People living or working in the 19 counties declared for Individual Assistance whose jobs have been affected by recent severe storms may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). The deadline for Nicholas and Monongalia is today, Aug. 14, 2003. Those in Doddridge, Harrison and Ritchie have until Aug. 18, 2003. Individuals in Preston County have until Aug. 27, 2003. A deadline for those in Marion County is Sept. 3, 2003. The deadline to apply for DUA has passed for all other declared counties.
Calling the FEMA toll-free teleregistration number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), is the necessary first step in applying for disaster assistance. The following is a list of West Virginia counties currently designated as federal disaster areas, along with the number of applications for disaster assistance received as of Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003 per county.
| Disaster Counties | Total Applications Received |
|---|---|
| Berkeley | 97 |
| Boone | 242 |
| Cabell | 168 |
| Doddridge | 83 |
| Harrison | 209 |
| Kanawha | 1,135 |
| Lincoln | 191 |
| Logan | 523 |
| Marion | 30 |
| Mason | 129 |
| McDowell | 233 |
| Mingo | 515 |
| Monongalia | 347 |
| Nicholas | 92 |
| Preston | 46 |
| Putnam | 98 |
| Ritchie | 47 |
| Wayne | 501 |
| Wyoming | 196 |
| TOTAL | 4,882 |
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 15-Aug-2003 08:47:44