FEMA Aid To Texans Nears $20 Million
Release Date: August 23, 2007
Release Number: 1709-067
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WACO, Texas -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) are working in partnership to help Texas residents recover from the recent flooding that occurred from June 16 to August 3. The following is a summary of ongoing response and recovery efforts:
- FEMA's Individual Assistance programs are available to residents in 39 Texas counties: Archer, Atascosa, Bee, Bell, Brown, Burnet, Cherokee, Comanche, Cooke, Coryell, Denton, Eastland, Grayson, Guadalupe, Hamilton, Henderson, Hood, Lampasas, Liberty, Llano, Medina, Nueces, Parker, Refugio, Runnels, San Patricio, Smith, Starr, Tarrant, Taylor, Travis, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Webb, Wichita, Williamson and Zavala.
- To date, FEMA has approved a total of $16,006,932 in disaster housing assistance, which includes temporary rental assistance for those whose homes have been severely damaged and funds to make essential repairs.
- An additional $3,832,778 has been approved for the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program which helps pay for items and services such as: medical and dental care, funeral costs (as a result of the flooding), transportation expenses and household items and clothing.
- 10,772 individuals and families affected by recent flooding have registered for assistance through FEMA's toll-free registration line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by going online to www.fema.gov. Individuals with speech or hearing impairment may call 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). Recovery specialists are available to assist with the registration process, provide counsel on assistance programs and also check on the status of an application. The registration deadline is October 29, 2007.
- FEMA's Public Assistance program is available to state agencies, tribal and local governments, and certain Private Non-Profits (PNP) in 63 counties, nearly one-quarter of all Texas counties. Through the Public Assistance (PA) program, FEMA provides supplemental federal disaster grant assistance for the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and the facilities of certain PNP organizations. FEMA PA grants cover 75 percent of the cost of approved repair, reconstruction and mitigation projects with the remaining 25 percent coming from state and local agencies.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved 310 applications totaling $13,555,300 in disaster loan assistance. The SBA is the primary source of federal funds for long-term disaster recovery for owners of private property, including homeowners, renters, non-farm businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations. These low-interest loans cover costs of repair or replacement of damaged real estate, personal property and business assets not fully covered by insurance or other aid.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Thursday, 23-Aug-2007 16:19:16