FEMA Expedites Disaster Checks
Release Date: May 21, 2003
Release Number: 1464-25
» More Information on Tennessee Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding
Nashville, TN -- In the two weeks since President Bush first issued a disaster declaration for Tennessee's storm victims, ninety-two percent of $8.2 million in state and federal disaster assistance approved so far has been delivered, officials said Wednesday.
"We've streamlined the process to speed critically needed assistance to the declared counties and this is evidence that it has worked," said Michael Bolch of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the official in charge of federal recovery operations.
Checks worth $7.5 million have been issued to residents who have registered with FEMA and had their damaged property inspected. To date, 6,343 persons in 46 counties have applied at a rate approaching 600 a day.
The checks are for temporary disaster housing, emergency repairs and to meet essential needs not covered by insurance or other state or federal programs.
Assistance is available only by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), FEMA's toll-free registration line. Those with speech or hearing impairment should call the TDD line at 1-800-462-7585.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 21-May-2003 15:08:39