Texas Wildfires Disaster Assistance and Loans Exceed $4.1 Million; $2 Million Reimbursed In Public Assistance
Release Date: April 7, 2006
Release Number: 1624-024
» More Information on Texas Extreme Wildfire Threat
AUSTIN, Texas Families and individuals who suffered damage from the Texas wildfires have been approved to receive $4,197,731 in assistance from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Those affected by the wildfires are urged to register online at www.fema.gov or at FEMA's toll free tele-registration number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) , or for hearing or speech impaired, register at TTY 1-800-462-7585. Assistance is available in multiple languages.
President George W. Bush has declared 19 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 Anderson , Bastrop , Caldwell , Callahan, Cooke, Deaf Smith, Eastland, Erath, Gray, Guadalupe, Hood, Hutchinson , Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Roberts, Tarrant, Wheeler and Wise.
Disaster Recovery Summary as of close of business April 6, 2006:
- 427 individuals have registered for Individual Assistance.
- $1,158,431 has been approved through the Individuals and Household Program. Of that, FEMA has provided $616,647 in Individual Assistance and $541,784 in Other Needs Assistance.
- $3,039,300 in loans has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for individuals and businesses affected by the Texas Wildfires.
- 247 home inspections have been requested. 246 have been completed.
- $2 million has been obligated in Public Assistance by FEMA to the State of Texas to reimburse local governments and agencies for eligible and documented expenses related to emergency protective measures associated with the Texas wildfires.
- WILDFIRE SUMMARY: Since Dec. 26, 2005, Texas has had 11,073 fire starts. There are currently 17 active fires. During this period, 4,904,450 acres have burned, 423 homes have been destroyed and 4,852 homes have been saved.
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: Thursday, 25-May-2006 08:50:42