Remarks by Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer for FEMA Justo Hernandez at the Orlando Disaster Field Office "Hurricane Charley Recovery Briefing"
Release Date: August 26, 2004
Release Number: HQ-04-137
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie
Orlando
August 26, 2004
(Remarks as Prepared)
Thank you, Bill
Good Morning.
Our message is getting out. You, the media, are carrying that message.
We know that because 9,209 more households have registered for assistance since yesterday, for a total of 145, 263.
We have operators in Texas, Maryland, Virginia and Puerto Rico taking applications for disaster assistance.
If you were affected by Hurricane charley and haven’t registered, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
Speech and hearing impaired: 1-800-462-7585.
HOUSING REMAINS OUR #1 PRIORITY.
More than 18,800 residents have received more than $40.9 million in housing assistance.
We still have a lot of work ahead of us.
We are helping people solve their housing needs by:
1. Meeting with individuals and families still in shelters to help them solve housing needs.
- There are 824 evacuees living in shelters, down 253 from yesterday. Our counseling is working
- We encourage people to use FEMA grants to expand housing possibilities. Find a temporary place to live outside the area – with family, relatives or friends.
2. We are placing temporary roofing on damaged homes.
- More than 1,700 repairs have been completed by The U.S. army Corps of Engineers and voluntary agencies.
- If you need plastic sheeting, contact your county’s Emergency Operations Center.
3. We are finding temporary accommodations in motels, hotels in available rental units and travel trailers
- We have more than 8,300 temporary housing units on order and will increase that number if the need arises.
Currently 96 occupied, more every day 593 units on site
4. We are working with HUD to locate housing
- More than 1,200 families have been referred to housing units so far
5. We are restoring power so [people can return to their homes.
- Power is more than 95% restored less than 60, 000 without power
6. We continue to expedite housing inspections, so people know as soon as possible what they can expect from FEMA and the state of Florida.
- 1,000 inspectors in the field.
7. And we are working to increase the number of applicants who qualify for SBA low-interest loans.
- This gives people the money they need to recover.
- 75,000 households have applied 14,000 businesses
- More than $1 million approved
8. We will continue the effort to expand the housing assistance program and housing referrals through rental resources.
We have more than 1,100 community relations field officers going door-to-door helping people solve their housing needs by listening and encouraging them to register.
Or go to one of our 12 Disaster Recovery Centers and speak face-to-face with representatives of federal, state and local agencies involved in the recovery.
Check your newspaper for locations
Remember…
call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
If you need to update your application or need more information, call that same number: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
TTY 800-462-7585
Thank you again for your help.
Last Modified: Thursday, 26-Aug-2004 15:10:36