Disaster Recovery Continues In Pennsylvania 

By The Numbers

Release Date: September 6, 2006
Release Number: 1649-063

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HARRISBURG, Pa. -- State and federal agencies continue to provide assistance and work towards recovery for the counties affected by the storms and floods that impacted the Commonwealth in late June.

22 22 counties have been designated to receive Individual Assistance (IA). IA designation allows for federal funds to aid disaster-affected households in the forms of grants and loans. Berks, Bradford, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Columbia, Dauphin, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties have been designated.
25 25 counties have been approved for Public Assistance (PA) funds. The program provides assistance for work including debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the restoration of infrastructure to pre-disaster conditions. Adams, Armstrong, Berks, Bradford, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Columbia, Franklin, Indiana, Lackawanna, Lebanon, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, and Wyoming counties are eligible for the program.
27 There are 27 days left to register for Individual Assistance (IA). October 3 is the deadline for residents living in disaster-designated counties to apply for federal disaster assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); TTY 1-800-462-7585. Online registration is also available at www.fema.gov.
4,264 4,264 Pennsylvanians have sought information at Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) throughout the affected areas. No DRCs are open.
10,051 FEMA has completed 10,051 housing inspections. Inspectors record all disaster-related structural damages to homes and document damages to personal property.
11,715 More than 11,715 Pennsylvanians have registered for disaster assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362); TTY 1-800-462-7585.
$67,302 $67,302 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been approved for 172 eligible victims of the storms and floods. Although the deadlines to apply for DUA have passed, information is available by visiting or calling your county's Pennsylvania CareerLink Office.
$228,273 FEMA has approved a $228,273 Crisis Counseling grant for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Flood victims living in disaster-designated counties can call their county mental health number for assistance. Crisis Counseling helps disaster victims recognize normal stress reactions and emotions caused or aggravated by a disaster, and regain control over themselves and their environment.
$8.7 million $8.7 million in federal dollars has been obligated for Public Assistance (PA) projects. FEMA awards grants to assist state and local governments and certain private non-profit entities with their response to, and recovery from, the disaster. FEMA pays seventy-five percent of the costs for PA projects while the commonwealth has committed to pay the non-federal share, which is the remaining twenty-five percent.
$18.6 million

FEMA has provided more than $18.6 million directly to Pennsylvania flood victims for housing and other needs assistance through the Individuals and Households Program (IHP).

  • 8,278 assistance checks, totaling more than $16.2 million, have been disbursed to Pennsylvania victims in the form of rental assistance and home repair or replacement grants.
  • More than $2.4 million has been disbursed to 2,662 Pennsylvanians under the Other Needs Assistance program (ONA). ONA grants provide assistance to disaster victims to pay for serious, disaster-related needs not covered under any other program.
$37.1 million

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than 1,032 disaster assistance loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses totaling more than $37.1 million.

  • More than $30 million to homeowners and renters.
  • $7.1 million to businesses.

PENNSYLVANIA DISASTER ASSISTANCE BY COUNTY AS OF 09-05-06

Designated Counties Total Applicants   Housing Assistance Other Needs Assistance Individuals and Households Program (IHP) Total *
Berks 482   $687,126 $75,649 $762,775
Bradford 108   174,875 13,896 188,771
Bucks 458   355,083 44,856 389,939
Carbon 261   430,602 27,015 457,617
Chester 316   347,259 56,687 403,946
Columbia 1,214   1,579,505 338,434 1,917,939
Dauphin 142   141,249 11,113 152,362
Franklin 439   657,623 28,779 686,402
Lackawanna 485   676,589 72,731 749,320
Lancaster 222   308,816 18,595 327,411
Lebanon 256   443,333 73,819 517,152
Luzerne 1,794   2,276,279 192,418 2,468,697
Monroe 504   906,325 119,180 1,025,505
Montgomery 263   255,434 108,986 364,420
Montour 66   74,201 1,996 76,197
Northampton 250   248,297 64,894 313,191
Northumberland 263   325,274 40,637 365,911
Pike 215   318,368 34,085 352,453
Schuylkill 1,601   1,985,245 351,405 2,336,650
Susquehanna 1,155   1,913,312 524,709 2,438,021
Wayne 456   617,176 73,739 690,915
Wyoming 765   1,451,292 161,148 1,612,440
Totals 11,715   $16,173,263 $2,434,771 $18,608,034

FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan.  However, an applicant must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Thursday, 07-Sep-2006 08:10:07