Texas Wildfire Disaster Recovery Aid Exceeds $900,738
Release Date: February 10, 2006
Release Number: 1624-008
» More Information on Texas Extreme Wildfire Threat
AUSTIN, Texas — As of close of business Feb. 9, families and individuals who suffered damage from the recent Texas Wildfires have been approved to receive more than $900,738 in assistance.
On Jan. 11, 2006, President George W. Bush declared nine counties stricken by wildfires as major disaster areas in the State of Texas. The presidential declaration made individual assistance available to affected individuals and businesses in the counties of Callahan, Cooke, Eastland, Erath, Hood, Montague, Palo Pinto, Tarrant and Wise.
Recovery Services Summary as of close of business Feb. 9, 2006:
- 371 individuals have registered for Individual Assistance.
- $900,738 has been approved through the Individuals and Household Program. Of that, FEMA has provided $506,640 in Individual Assistance and $394,098 in Other Needs Assistance.
- 358 applicants visited two mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) that operated throughout the nine declared counties until Feb. 3, 2006.
- 209 home inspections have been requested. 204 have been completed. Three inspectors are in the field.
- Texas workers who lost their jobs due to the recent wildfires may be able to claim disaster unemployment benefits. To file a claim or to talk with a representative, eligible applicants should call the Texas Workforce Commission Hotline at 1-800-939-6631, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Individuals located in the nine counties and who sustained losses should register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing- and speech-impaired. Registrations also can be made online at www.fema.gov.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 19-May-2006 11:09:37