Nearly $4.9 Million Approved For Gaston Recovery
Release Date: September 22, 2004
Release Number: 1544-025
RICHMOND, Va. -- Federal, state and voluntary agencies are continuing to work together to help Virginia residents recover from the effects of Tropical Depression Gaston. The following is a summary of activities to date:
- In the two weeks since President Bush issued a major disaster declaration for the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg and Richmond, and the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Hanover, Henrico, King William, New Kent and Prince George, FEMA has approved $4,669,814 in grants to pay for temporary rental costs for homeowners and renters whose homes have been severely damaged, for repairs to make homeowners' residences safe, sanitary and functional, and to cover the costs of essential needs.
- To date, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued 2,241 applications for low-interest disaster loans and approved more than $162,000 in loan monies. The SBA is urging people to complete and return their loan packages as soon as possible. SBA disaster loans are the government's primary form of long-term recovery assistance. If an applicant does not qualify for a loan, he or she may be considered for a grant to cover serious unmet disaster-related needs, but only after completing the SBA loan application packet. SBA representatives at local disaster recovery centers are available to answer questions and to help applicants complete their loan packages.
- Disaster recovery centers, where people can meet face-to-face with federal, state and voluntary agency representatives, are now open at these locations:
| LOCATION | HOURS |
|---|---|
|
Theatre Row Building 730 E. Broad St. (City of Richmond) |
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sunday |
|
Dumbarton Library 6800 Staples Mill Road (Henrico County) |
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sunday |
Homeowners, renters and businesses are welcome to visit any of the disaster recovery centers, but everyone who sustained damage from Tropical Depression Gaston is encouraged to apply for assistance first by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing and speech impaired. Telephone lines are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. At close of business on Sept.22, 3,603 individuals and business owners had applied for assistance.
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: Wednesday, 22-Sep-2004 12:40:27