Hurricane Ivan Aid At $2.5 Million
Release Date: September 29, 2004
Release Number: 1558-021
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Federal and state grants to assist West Virginians with flood recovery efforts have reached $2.5 million, state and federal recovery officials said today. President Bush’s September 20 Hurricane Ivan disaster declaration for West Virginia now includes 16 counties.
Federal Coordinating Officer Lou Botta of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said “Grants totaling $2,520,679 have been approved to help 1,218 West Virginia flood-affected households with recovery.”
State Coordinating Officer Steve Kappa of the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services (WVOES) said, “Even those with insurance should register with FEMA at the toll –free registration line – 1-800-621-3362. We don’t want any West Virginian affected by flooding to forego possible benefits. There are situations where insurance may not cover all losses and those losses may be eligible for federal and state aid.”
Grants are provided under the FEMA and State of West Virginia Individuals and Households Program (IHP). The program has two parts:
- The Housing Assistance part of IHP provides renters and homeowners who cannot or should not live in their disaster-damaged homes grants to obtain alternate living quarters. When possible, homeowners may receive a grant to make the home livable. To date, FEMA has approved $1,694,159 to assist 1,194 households with housing assistance.
- The Other Needs Assistance (ONA) part of IHP provides grants to homeowners and renters who do not qualify for a U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loan to obtain essential needs not met by other assistance programs. Among such are disaster-related lost personal property, funeral expenses, transportation and dental and medical costs. To date, FEMA and the State of West Virginia have approved $826,517 for 159 households under ONA.
Botta and Kappa said people with disaster-related damage to their homes or businesses should register for help by calling, toll-free, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The phone lines will be open 24 hours a day until further notice. Those with speech or hearing impairment may call TTY 1-800-462-7585.
So far, more than 3,850 people in the 16 disaster-designated counties have registered for assistance.
On September 20 President Bush approved a request from Governor Bob Wise for a federal disaster declaration for the counties of Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Pleasants, Tyler, Wetzel and Wirt. On September 24 the counties of Berkeley, Cabell, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Morgan and Wood were added to the declaration.
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 the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 29-Sep-2004 14:17:26