Ivan Disaster Aid Nears $6 Million In North Carolina
Release Date: October 11, 2004
Release Number: 1553-009a
» More Information on North Carolina Hurricane Ivan
ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Officials of the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Management (CCPS-DEM) report that, to date, $5,927,476 has been given in aid to victims of Hurricane Ivan.
Since President Bush issued a disaster declaration Sept. 18, more than $4.1 million has been granted in housing assistance and over $1.2 million to cover other needs such as medical and dental expenses, personal property, transportation and funeral costs. The U. S. Small Business Administration has approved $346,000 in low-interest loans for homeowners, business owners and renters.
The following is a summary of response and recovery activity since President Bush declared 29 counties eligible for federal disaster assistance in the aftermath of Ivan:
- Applications for individual assistance have been received from 5,130 residents.
- Disaster housing assistance checks totaling $4,138,630 have been disbursed to residents to assist with temporary housing and home repairs.
- Other Needs Assistance, which provides money for necessary expenses and serious needs not covered by insurance such as medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, and moving and storage, totals $1,289,415.
- 29 FEMA inspectors are at work and have completed 3,090 property inspections.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued 3,518 low-interest disaster loan applications (2,717 to homeowners, renters; 801 to businesses) and has approved $346,000 in low-interest loans to qualified applicants.
- 3,599 people have visited FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) since they opened. Representatives of state, federal and voluntary agencies are on-site to provide information and answer questions and address concerns. Currently there are DRCs open in Buncombe, Haywood and Macon counties. A fourth center is scheduled to open in McDowell County on Wednesday. Oct. 13.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available through the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina for those who live or work in the declared disaster areas and are unemployed or have lost income as a direct result of the disaster. Residents may file for assistance by phone at 1-866-795-8877 or by visiting one of the state’s 24 Employment Security Offices in counties declared as eligible for federal disaster aid.
Federal funding for crisis counseling has been approved in the form of a grant for North Carolina’s counties damaged by Hurricane Ivan. Anyone in these counties who is experiencing emotional distress as a result of the disaster can get immediate assistance by calling North Carolina’s CARE-LINE at 1-800-662-7030 or 1-877-452-2514 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired for referral to one of three local mental health agencies: the Foothills Area Program, serving residents of Burke, Caldwell and McDowell counties; the Smokey Mountain Local Management Entity, serving residents of Haywood, Jackson and Macon counties; and, the Western Highlands Local Management Entity, serving residents of Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania and Yancey counties.
Disaster Recovery Center Locations
Hours of operation for the following DRCs are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. All DRCs are closed on Sunday.
Buncombe County
Woodfin Volunteer Fire Department
20 New Street
Woodfin, N.C.
(Open daily, except Sun. until further notice)Haywood County
Town of Clyde Municipal Building
8437 Carolina Boulevard
Clyde, N.C.
(Open daily, except Sun, until further notice)
Macon County
Macon County Community Facilities Building
1288 Georgia Highway (441 South)
Franklin, N.C. (Through 6 p.m. Oct. 13)McDowell County
P.G. Baptist Church
214 P.G. Baptist Church Rd.
Marion, N.C.
(Opening Wed., Oct. 13 – Thurs., Oct 15)
Individuals can begin the disaster application process by calling the toll-free registration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available 24-hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. If possible, try calling in the evening after 6:00 p.m. or on weekends when call volume often is lighter. Individuals can also find valuable recovery information on the agency’s website at http://www.fema.gov.
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: Tuesday, 12-Oct-2004 11:38:25