Disaster Assistance For Alabama Tops $2.3 Million
Release Date: November 29, 2002
Release Number: 1442-08
» More Information on Alabama Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Birmingham, AL -- As the second week of response and recovery operations ended, more than $2.3 million in federal and state funds or loans have been received by or are on the way to Alabamians who suffered losses following storms and tornadoes that swept through the state between Nov. 5 - 12.
The following is a summary of ongoing response and recovery efforts since the presidential disaster declaration on November 14.
- Federal and state governments have approved more than $2,332,286 in either grants or loans for residents and public agencies affected by the storms in 29 counties that were declared disaster areas.
- Nearly 1000 victims in those counties have applied for assistance, mainly to get temporary housing, replace lost possessions, or make emergency repairs to their homes.
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has reported more than $1.7 million in the aid pipeline to families, homeowners, and renters.
- Grants totaling $787,564 have been approved for 326 eligible applicants to help provide housing assistance. Additional grants totaling $889,430 have been approved for 158 applicants to meet other needs.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved nine loans totaling $623,400 for the repair of homes and businesses and replacement of damaged personal and business property.
- Applications for public assistance have been filed by 21 governmental agencies to reimburse extra costs due to the storms and tornadoes. An example: a school at Carbon Hill was severely damaged.
- 513 inspections have been made to verify damages to victims of the tornadoes.
C. Michael Butler, Coordinating Officer, said that the quick delivery of assistance checks to tornado victims also benefits area businesses as well as residents. "Storm survivors also help local workers, contractors and businesses get back on their feet when they use their checks to purchase needed supplies and services in their community," Butler said.
He added that the boost to the local economy made it all the more important that residents who suffered damage or loss due to the tornadoes register for assistance promptly.
Persons who sustained losses as a result of storms and tornadoes in 29 Alabama counties Nov. 5 - 12 may apply for assistance by calling on FEMA's toll-free Teleregistration line, 1-800-621-3362. Those with hearing or speech impairments may call TTY 1-800-462-7585.
Here is a breakdown of the number of applicants and amount of disaster assistance approved or disbursed for each county as of close of business 11/26/02
| Designated Counties | Cumulative Total | $ Amount Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Barbour | 1 | 205.59 |
| Bibb | 0 | |
| Blount | 3 | 1,548.31 |
| Calhoun | 2 | 10,645.52 |
| Cherokee | 113 | 231,915.28 |
| Cleburne | 0 | |
| Cullman | 107 | 108,044.57 |
| Dale | 2 | |
| DeKalb | 0 | |
| Etowah | 1 | 120.96 |
| Fayette | 49 | 69,670.82 |
| Franklin | 0 | |
| Greene | 0 | |
| Hale | 2 | |
| Henry | 119 | 211,405.27 |
| Houston | 0 | |
| Jefferson | 34 | 84,987.97 |
| Lamar | 2 | |
| Lawrence | 0 | |
| Marion | 0 | |
| Marshall | 0 | |
| Morgan | 1 | |
| Pickens | 3 | |
| Saint Clair | 0 | |
| Shelby | 0 | |
| Talladega | 0 | |
| Tuscaloosa | 10 | 40,964.91 |
| Walker | 489 | 896,107.29 |
| Winston | 30 | 53,269.83 |
| Total | 968 | $1,708,886.32 |
Last Modified: Monday, 21-Apr-2003 11:16:01