Disaster Aid Totals More Than $12.8 Million
Release Date: November 22, 2002
Release Number: 1439-17
» More Information on Texas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Corpus Christi, TX -- Disaster aid has reached more than $12.8 million, according to State and federal officials.
- Registrations for disaster assistance number more than 9,000 and officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have inspected almost 6,000 properties.
- Approved eligible amounts for disaster housing assistance, in the ten-county area, total more than $6.1 million. Disaster Housing Assistance checks are approved for individuals whose property was damaged or who have incurred temporary housing expenses as a result of the storm system.
- More than $6.3 million has been approved for Other Needs Assistance, which may include medical, dental and funeral expenses as well as personal property, transportation, and other disaster-related serious needs.
- On November 21, the county of Jim Wells was added to the disaster declaration and on November 15, the counties of Montgomery and Liberty were also added to the declaration. This brings the total designated counties to ten, and includes the previously designated counties of Aransas, Hardin, Harris, Jefferson, Nueces, Orange and San Patricio which were previously designated.
- A federal/state mobile Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Aransas pass served 141 people before moving to the County Fair Ground, 1200 Harville St., in Sinton for a Thursday opening. The DRC at 3908B Leopard St., Corpus Christi has served 311 thus far, and the DRC at 17507 Imperial Valley Drive in Houston has assisted 279. An additional DRC at St. Andrews Church Hall on 1350 North 34 rd St. in Beaumont has helped 136 victims.
- Individuals who sustained disaster-related losses as a result of the October 24 tornadoes, severe storms and flooding must re-register for this disaster even though they may have received assistance for a previous disaster. Those who have not yet registered need to call 1-800-621 FEMA (3362), or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired. The registration lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
- The Small Business Administration has issued more than 3,800 applications and approved more than $400,000 for low-interest loans to businesses and individuals.
- Crisis counselors are available at each DRC for anyone suffering from disaster-related emotional stress. Contact information for regional Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation centers can also be obtained at the DRC. Assistance is readily available for Spanish-speaking individuals.
- As a result of this disaster and the apparent need for community collaboration, agencies from Orange, Jefferson and Hardin Counties will be working with the FEMA Voluntary Agencies to form Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD). This group will address disaster- caused needs from the current floods and will develop a disaster preparedness/mitigation program for their community. Area Agency on Aging is the lead agency facilitating meetings and providing leadership to work on the formation of the COAD. Interfaith Disaster Recovery of the Coastal Bend is now an official non-profit agency that was formed to respond to unmet needs resulting from the last three Texas disasters. They will provide assistance to those in need in Nueces and San Patricio Counties.
- A legal hotline has been established for those who were affected by the disaster and need legal assistance. The line is operated by FEMA under contract with the American Bar Association's Young Lawyers' Division and in cooperation with the Texas Bar Association. Volunteer lawyers are available to provide disaster-related advice free of charge. Those in need of advice can call 1-800-504-7030 twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and leave a message for a representative to get back in touch with them. This assistance is available to all Texas victims in the ten designated counties.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to workers who were affected by the disaster and who would not be eligible for regular unemployment. Those who believe they are eligible for assistance or would like deadline information may call the Texas Workforce Commission at 1-800-939-6631 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Disaster victims can talk with a representative or file a claim. When calling to apply for benefits be sure to have your social security number and the name and address of your last employer or prospective employer. The last possible week of compensation is the week ending May 19, 2003.
- Federal/state mitigation specialists are part of the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) staff and can offer information to DRC visitors on ways to reduce future disaster-related damages. They also have informative written mitigation materials available to the public.
Last Modified: Monday, 21-Apr-2003 15:44:52