More Than $2.3 Million In Approved For Disaster Recovery Assistance 

Release Date: March 7, 2005
Release Number: 1580-019

» More Information on Ohio Severe Winter Storms, Flooding and Mudslides

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A total of $2,321,846 in grants for disaster related- repairs and costs has been approved for disaster assistance in Ohio since the Presidential declaration of February 15, according to figures released today by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.

Disaster recovery officials urge anyone who suffered damages or loss from the winter storms and flooding that occurred between December 22, 2004 and February 1, 2005 to apply for assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech or hearing impairment can call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both lines are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. You may also register through the Internet at www.fema.gov. The deadline to apply for assistance is April 18.

The following is an update of recovery activities as of today:

Individuals and Households Program

Individuals and families whose permanent homes were damaged or destroyed in the disaster and are in a declared county may be eligible for the Individuals and Households Program. This assistance may be used for temporary disaster housing assistance; repairing disaster-damaged, uninsured homes to a habitable condition and replacement grants for serious, disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs. These individuals will receive flood insurance for three years.

U.S. Small Business Administration

The SBA has issued 1,723 low-interest loan applications to homeowners, renters and business owners throughout Ohio. Officials urge affected residents to complete and return their loan paperwork as soon as possible, even if they have not received a final settlement from their insurance company. If the loan application is not returned, eligibility for other forms of disaster assistance may be affected. SBA representatives will be available at the Disaster Outreach Centers listed below to assist with completion of disaster loan applications.

In Hockingport - Now Open;
United Methodist Church Community Center, 28821 Pavilion Street

In Bellefontaine - Now Open
Ohio Highpoint Career Center, House #4, 2280 State Route 540

In Marietta - Now Open
Washington County Courthouse (Old Jail), 205 Putnam Street

In Dillonvale - Now Open
Dillonvale Senior Center, 46 Main Street

In McConnelsville - Now Open
Riecker Building, Chamber of Commerce Room, 155 Main Street

In Bucyrus - Opening Monday, March 7
Crawford County Courthouse Conference Room, 112 East Mansfield Street

In Columbus - Opening Monday, March 7
Franklin County EMA, 5300 Strawberry Farms Blvd.

In Zanesville - Opening Monday, March 7
Muskingum County EMA/EOC, 2215 Adamsville Road

In Yellowbud - Opening Monday, March 7
Yellowbud United Methodist Church Annex, 599 Yellowbud Road

In Coshocton - Opening Tuesday, March 8, Closing Friday, March 11
Coshocton County Service Building, 724 South 7th Street

For more information about SBA's disaster loan program, visit an SBA outreach centers or call the Disaster Area Office at 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339 for the speech or hearing-impaired. The filing deadline for physical damage applications is April 18, 2005.

Registration and Helpline Numbers Continue to Operate; Online Registration Available

Individuals, families, and business owners who suffered losses in the declared counties should apply for assistance by calling FEMA'S toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The special number for those with hearing or speech impairment is TTY 1-800-462-7585. These numbers are available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, until further notice. Individuals may check on the status of their application, update their current information, or request general assistance information by calling those same numbers.

People can also register for assistance online at www.fema.gov

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

The Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program provides Weekly benefits to those individuals out of work due to the disaster, including self-employed agricultural and hourly workers, self-employed business people, business owners unable to provide services and other unemployed workers who are out of work as a direct result of the disaster and who do not otherwise qualify for unemployment benefits. The State of Ohio administers this program and has set an application deadline of March 18.

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency coordinates the state's response and recovery from the State of Ohio Emergency Operations Center. One of the primary focuses of the agency is to ensure that Ohio citizens are prepared to respond to and recover from an emergency or disaster and to lead mitigation efforts against the effects of future disasters. During times of disasters, Ohio EMA coordinates activities of responding state agencies and maintains liaison with similar agencies of other states and of the federal government for all hazards.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Monday, 07-Mar-2005 16:29:48