Colorado Disaster Aid Hits Nearly $3 Million 

Release Date: June 3, 1999
Release Number: 1276-08

» More Information on Colorado Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- As of June 3, disaster assistance for individuals, families and businesses in Bent, El Paso, Larimer, Otero, Pueblo and Weld counties has reached nearly $3 million, state and federal recovery officials said today.

Federal Coordinating Officer Scott Logan of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said housing grants for 823 households have reached $944,642 in the six counties. Housing grants may be awarded for one of three purposes: to fund essential emergency repairs that make a home livable; to cover the cost of alternate housing for homeowners or renters whose dwelling is unlivable due to the flooding; or to avoid foreclosure or eviction of those who have lost employment as a result of the disaster.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $1,495,700 in low interest disaster loans for businesses and individuals. SBA loans are the primary means of restoring or replacing uninsured or underinsured disaster-damaged real estate, personal property and business facilities.

State Coordinating Officer Tommy Grier said the state-administered Individual and Family Grant Program has assisted 112 households in the declared counties with a total of $393,230. The Individual and Family Grant Program, funded 75-percent by FEMA and 25-percent by the state, helps to meet serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.

The Presidential disaster declaration issued for Colorado on May 17 makes residents eligible to apply for a variety of state and federal disaster assistance programs. Although flooding caused the majority of disaster losses, other storm-related damages may also qualify. Anyone with disaster related losses should call FEMA's toll-free registration number 1-800-462-9029 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) to begin the assistance process.

More than 1,600 residents throughout the state have applied for assistance as of June 3.

If you have already applied for assistance and need information about disaster-related programs or the status of filed application, you may call the Disaster Helpline at 1-800-525-0321 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585.)

Last Modified: Tuesday, 16-Dec-2003 15:24:22