43 Jurisdictions Added To Hurricane Isabel Disaster Declaration
Release Date: September 23, 2003
Release Number: 1491-07
» More Information on Virginia Hurricane Isabel
Richmond, VA -- Forty-three additional Virginia jurisdictions are now eligible for disaster assistance. The help is available to individuals and businesses recovering from Hurricane Isabel. The independent cities of Bedford, Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Winchester; and the counties of Albemarle, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Clarke, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Fauquier, Frederick, Greene, Halifax, Hanover, King George, King William, King and Queen, Louisa, Loudoun, Lunenburg, Madison, Nelson, New Kent, Nottoway, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Rappahannock, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren are now eligible for recovery assistance.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) Federal Coordinating Officer David Fukutomi said the jurisdictions were added based on data of the damage gathered by federal and state disaster recovery officials. "We are committed to ensuring that every qualified family and business receives the help they need and that vital community facilities are restored to full service as quickly as possible," Fukutomi said.
The newly added jurisdictions join the list of 31 that were declared on Sept. 18, 2003 and 25 declared on Sept. 22. These include the independent cities of Alexandria, Chesapeake, Colonial Heights, Danville, Emporia, Fairfax, Falls Church, Franklin, Hampton, Hopewell, Newport News, Norfolk, Petersburg, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Richmond, Staunton, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Waynesboro, Williamsburg; and the counties of Accomack, Arlington, Augusta, Brunswick, Caroline, Charles City, Chesterfield, Essex, Fairfax, Fluvanna, Goochland, Gloucester, Greensville, Henrico, Isle of Wight, James City, Lancaster, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, Northampton, Northumberland, Orange, Page, Prince George, Prince William, Richmond, Rockbridge, Southampton, Spotsylvania, Surry, Stafford, Sussex, Westmoreland, and York.
There are now 99 Virginia jurisdictions eligible for disaster assistance from the effects of Hurricane Isabel.
Disaster assistance can 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 also will be available to cover residential and business losses not covered by insurance.
Funds will also be provided for the state and affected local governments to pay 75 percent of the eligible cost for debris removal and emergency services related to the hurricane, including requested emergency work undertaken by the federal government.
Affected residents and business owners in the newly added jurisdictions may apply for assistance immediately by calling the toll-free registration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The lines are open between 7 a.m. and midnight, seven days a week. Those with a speech or hearing impairment may call TTY number at 1-800-462-7585.
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: Wednesday, 24-Sep-2003 08:33:03