Community Relations Specialists Visiting Disaster Areas
Release Date: June 17, 2004
Release Number: 1522-018
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides
CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- Community Relations specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are reaching out to people affected by the severe storms, flooding and landslides that began Memorial Day weekend.
The specialists are canvassing communities in the declared counties, offering individuals and small businesses information about available disaster relief programs, including grants to help pay for temporary housing needs, minor home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses.
“We rely on our community relations staff not only to get the word out regarding available assistance, but also to find out first hand the problems communities and individuals in the communities are facing,” Federal Coordinating Officer Lou Botta explained.
FEMA staff members go door-to-door to talk with individuals who were affected by the disaster. They also meet with representatives of community-based agencies, churches, community leaders and public officials.
According to State Coordinating Officer Stephen S. Kappa, “We are making every attempt to inform disaster victims about the benefits available to them through a disaster declaration. This may require special means of communications and/or special types of assistance, which the community relations specialists help ensure.”
Declared counties include: Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Fayette, Gilmer, Jackson, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Nicholas, Putnam, Raleigh, Roane, Wayne, Webster, Wirt and Wyoming.
The FEMA specialists will be reminding people that to apply for disaster assistance, they must first call the toll-free number: 1-800-621-3362. For those who are speech- or hearing- impaired, the number is 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). Both phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Registration may be made from any Disaster Recovery Center for people who are without telephone service.
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: Friday, 18-Jun-2004 08:53:46