Disaster Recovery Update
Release Date: September 25, 2004
Release Number: 1549-010
» More Information on Alabama Hurricane Ivan
MOBILE, Ala. -- Life-sustaining disaster response measures continue to be the top priority 10 days after Hurricane Ivan made landfall in Alabama. The following serves as an update of disaster recovery activities:
- More than 1.5 million gallons of water and 15 million pounds of ice have been distributed throughout the disaster area. 1.6 million Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) have been disbursed.
- Trucks are moving supplies from 56 Staging Areas to comfort stations and distribution centers in disaster areas. In order to effectively manage the increasing supply of water and ice, an inventory of items is now being amassed at Maxwell AFB, to be distributed as needed throughout affected areas.
- 114 generators have been installed at critical facilities including hospitals, police and fire stations through the combined efforts of the Alabama National Guard and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.
- 16,000 tarps have been distributed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to homeowners with damage to their roof in an effort to minimize further damage until permanent repairs can be made.
- In coordination with the Interagency Management Teams (IMTs), roughly 620 people from the US Forest Service and other federal land management agencies are supporting FEMA in Alabama.
- FEMA continues to operate base camps for federal disaster workers in Escambia County.
- Alabamians have received more than $25 million in disaster aid, according to officials from Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- To date, 50,856 individuals called to apply for disaster assistance as a result of Hurricane Ivan.
- Eligible applicants received more than $14.5 million in disaster housing assistance, which helps renters and homeowners whose primary residences were damaged or destroyed, as well as those who were displaced from their home due to the disaster.
- Eligible applicants received nearly $9.5 million to help meet other essential needs, such as transportation and personal property repair or replacement not covered by insurance or other programs.
- Approximately 125 FEMA/State community relations personnel are in the field providing outreach information in storm-damaged neighborhoods, and staffing distribution centers.
- Six Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are located at the following facilities: Saraland Civic Center in Saraland, Evergreen Fire Station in Evergreen, Escambia County Agricultural Science Center in Brewton, Alabama Port Fire Department in Coden, Loxley Civic Center in Loxley and Lions Club Community Center in Atmore. DRCs provide information and written materials about various disaster assistance programs. The centers also offer tax advice, crisis counseling and disaster unemployment benefits. At the centers, loan officers from the U.S. Small Business Administration can answer questions about low-interest loans for homeowners, renters and business owners.
- Counties approved for Individual Assistance include Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Butler, Calhoun, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Coffee, Clay, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Cullman, Dale, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lawrence, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Marshall, Marion, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Washington, Wilcox and Winston. This brings the number in Alabama to 53 counties approved for Individual Assistance under the presidential declaration issued as a result of Hurricane Ivan.
- To apply for disaster assistance, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech or hearing impairment can call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Lines remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until further notice.
- Disaster officials ask callers to be patient. If you get a busy signal, try calling during off-hours. If you experienced minor damage, consider calling a few days later, so that people with more serious needs can get help quickly.
- Federal assistance is available to farmers or ranchers whose homes and personal property were damage by the hurricane. Call the FEMA toll-free registration number.
- Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence, may be also available. Contact your local Farm Service Agency.
- For more information on Hurricane Ivan disaster recovery, visit FEMA's website at www.fema.gov, and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) disaster website at www.ema.alabama.gov.
- The Disaster Help Alabama Hotline is now in operation. Residents may call to offer goods and services to assist hurricane victims, or they may call if they are in need of assistance. This is a partnership between FEMA, the state of Alabama and numerous voluntary organizations active in the recovery effort. Call 1-877-824-9826 or visit the organization's website, www.disasterhelp.net/alabama. Hotline hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week.
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, 29-Sep-2004 15:19:37