Maryland Tornado Recovery Funding Reaches More Than $9.1 Million 

Release Date: June 3, 2002
Release Number: 1409-27

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Waldorf, MD -- A month after President Bush declared Calvert, Charles and Dorchester counties federal disaster areas as a result of April 28 tornado damage, state and federal response and recovery efforts have reached more than $9.1 million in grants and loans.

"We encourage those who are waiting for insurance or find insurance falling short to call us as soon as possible to access available recovery programs," said State Coordinating Officer Donald L. Keldsen of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

"Call toll free 1-800-621-FEMA. It's available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.," he said "The deadline to register is July 1, 2002."

"We commend the State of Maryland for the manner in which it has taken charge of the response to this disaster," said Federal Coordinating Officer Tom Davies of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "Its affected citizens are in good hands."

Among recovery initiatives of the past month are: As of May 31, there have been 713 households that have called FEMA toll free at 1-800-621-FEMA (TTY; 1-800-462-7585) to register for help; As a result, FEMA has approved more than $150,000 in grants to help 77 households that cannot or should not live in disaster affected housing; The grants are in the form of rental assistance for renters and homeowners; or homeowners may receive a grant to make the residence livable if it can be done for less than $10,000; The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $3.6 million in low interest disaster loans to help renters, homeowners and small businesses and more than $2 million has gone to homeowners or renters and $1.6 million has gone to businesses.

Once registered with FEMA, individuals and business owners needing SBA assistance may contact the agency at (800) 659-2955, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (M-F). Additionally, representatives from the LaPlata SBDC are available to provide free assistance in completing SBA's Disaster Loan application. Appointments can be made by calling (800) 762-7232.

Small businesses have until February 3, 2003 to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). EIDLs can provide working capital to help disaster-affected businesses meet operating expenses and other short-term needs. For more information, visit SBA's webpage at http://www.sba.gov/disaster: The State-administered Individual and Family Grant Program (IFG) has provided $72,000 to 33 households to help with recovery; IFG provides grants to households that have essential and necessary emergency needs unmet by other assistance programs, such as an SBA low interest disaster loan; The grant may pay for some disaster-related small home repairs, lost personal possessions, transportation, medical or dental expenses or funeral expenses; The FEMA/state Public Assistance Program has obligated $1.1 million to help reimburse eligible projects that may include repair or restoration of damaged infrastructure, emergency protective measures and debris removal. Under this program, state department and agencies and government agencies and certain non-profit organizations in Calvert and Charles Counties may apply for reimbursements of disaster related losses and costs. FEMA pays 75 percent of the costs and the other 25 percent comes from non-federal sources. The State administers the program; Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening committed $3.1 million in state funds to help business owners and residents rebuild. He also announced a task force to assist La Plata business and downtown redevelopment and assigned full-time state caseworkers to help affected families secure resources needed to get their lives back on track; The Maryland State Highway Administration has committed significant manpower and more than 25 percent of its equipment toward debris removal. FEMA extended the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers debris removal mission by four weeks. As of May 28, about 40,500 tons of debris has been removed from the affected areas; The U.S Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded a National Emergency Grant of up to $2.2 million -- $1 million available immediately - to fund temporary disaster jobs to help with clean up in Calvert and Charles counties. The grant will be administered by the State Department of Labor; The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) took several initiatives; among which are a 90 day moratorium on foreclosure of FHA insured loans, and providing HUD vacant public housing to FEMA for emergency housing needs; The United States Department of Agriculture activated its Farm Service Agency programs, such as emergency loans and cost-share programs to help family farm operations with production and physical losses; and also activated its Rural Development Agency programs, such as home repair grants and loans for very low-income families in rural areas; The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) surveyed all gasoline stations damaged by the tornado to ensure that no leaks would occur when electrical power was restored to the area. MDE also located several above ground heating oil tanks and safely drained them to prevent groundwater contamination; As of June 1, voluntary agencies had served meals, opened two shelters and two service centers where those affected can access help from those agencies; The State of Maryland announced that the focus of the FEMA/State Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) will be building safe areas in schools and teaching residents how to safeguard their homes from severe weather. HMGP is funded by a 15 percent add on to the funds FEMA obligates to a disaster. FEMA funds 75 percent of the program and the rest is non-federal. HMGP's goal permits the State and local communities to implement long-term measures to reduce the risk of future disaster damages; FEMA's Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) was activated and is available through the Maryland Department of Labor. DUA funds unemployment for workers who do not normally qualify for regular, state unemployment benefits, such as the self-employed and farm workers. Contact the local unemployment officer to apply.

Those who have disaster related losses or damages should call the FEMA toll free registration telephone line -1-800-621-FEMA (TTY: 1-800-462-7585) as soon as possible. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Aug-2003 11:05:26