More Than Three Million Dollars In Federal Assistance Issued In Alabama
Release Date: March 17, 2007
Release Number: 1687-024
» More Information on Alabama Severe Storms and Tornadoes
MONTGOMERY, Ala.-- In only 12 days since President Bush declared six Alabama counties eligible for assistance to individuals and families, $3,082,191 in disaster assistance has been approved to help those affected by the tornadoes of March 1, state and federal officials announced today.
Three Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are currently open in Coffee, Henry and Dale counties to serve those recovering from the tornadoes; however, the DRCs in Henry and Dale counties will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, due to reduced activity. Operating hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. A total of 1,459 individuals have visited the recovery centers since they began operation.
Checks totaling $660,561 in disaster housing assistance have been approved since the application process began on March 3. Funds approved for other needs amounted to $252,630. A total of 1,577 individuals and small business owners from the disaster-designated counties have applied for disaster assistance programs as of close of business Thursday, March 15, 2007.
Disaster housing assistance comes in the form of grants for alternate rental housing and emergency repairs needed to make a residence livable. This assistance serves as an interim solution to people’s housing needs until long-term solutions are addressed, typically through insurance or loans.
As of March 15, the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $2,169,000 in disaster recovery loans for rebuilding. The SBA has received a total of 1,116 applications for long-term, low-interest recovery disaster loans. Of these, 960 applications are from homeowners and 154 are from business owners.
The presidential disaster declaration makes federal and state funds available to individuals, families and business owners in Coffee, Wilcox, Henry, Dale, Montgomery and Dallas counties and public assistance available in Coffee, Wilcox and Henry counties. Public assistance helps public entities pay for damage to the public infrastructure. This includes repairs or replacement of buildings and equipment, utilities, and parks and recreational facilities. It also includes debris removal costs and overtime payments for emergency workers.
People in the six declared counties who suffered damage or loss to a home or business due to the tornadoes of March 1, 2007 are encouraged to apply for assistance by calling a toll-free number, (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Those with a speech or hearing impairment should call TTY (800) 462-7585. Both phone lines are open between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (CDT) Monday thru Friday. Registration is also available online at www.fema.gov.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal rights. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.
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, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
Last Modified: Monday, 19-Mar-2007 10:17:06