Maryland Disaster Aid Tops $39 Million
Release Date: October 25, 2003
Release Number: 1492-56
» More Information on Maryland Hurricane Isabel
Baltimore, MD - Maryland residents and local governments have received more than $39 million in disaster aid in the five weeks since Hurricane Isabel struck and the state was declared a federal disaster area.
According to state and federal officials from the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the money represents more than $17 million in housing assistance, $5 million in assistance for other needs such as personal property, transportation and medical expenses, $16 million in low interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration and more than $1 million in funds to rebuild infrastructure.
The following is a summary of the response and recovery activity since President Bush declared the state eligible for federal disaster assistance on September 19.
- 15,257 applications for individual assistance have been received from residents in the 23 declared counties and city of Baltimore.
- $17,397,690 million have been disbursed to residents to assist with temporary housing and home repairs.
- $5,117,037 million in Other Needs Assistance, which provides money for necessary expenses and serious needs not covered by insurance such as medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, have been disbursed.
- 9,771 property inspections have been completed.
- 12,503 applications for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans have been issued.
- $16,136,200 million in disaster assistance loans have been approved.
- More than 7,200 people have visited FEMA/MEMA/Local Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) since they opened. Representatives of state, federal, and voluntary agencies, including loan officers from the SBA, are on-site to provide information and answer questions and concerns.
- $1,323,913 has been approved for projects to rebuild Maryland's infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Isabel.
- $692,000 in direct federal aid for specific response and recovery projects.
- The thousands of Marylanders trying to rebuild their lives after the storm continue to need items such as rubber gloves, scrub brushes, coats, towels, washcloths, and cleaning and rebuilding supplies. For more information call the Donation and Volunteer Hotline, sponsored by MEMA, FEMA, and the Maryland Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. The number is 1-877-868-4954 and is answered from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m., Saturday.
The toll-free hotline for Maryland Department of Human Resources is 1-888-756-7836, for individuals who may need assistance from local or state departments or agencies. Those with questions about their insurance may call the Maryland Insurance Administration at 1-800-492-6116.
Individuals may apply for disaster assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY: 1-800-462-7585 for speech or hearing impaired. Hours are 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., seven days a week. The deadline to register is November 18, 2003.
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: Monday, 27-Oct-2003 09:21:19