Eight Kansas Counties Now Qualify For Disaster Assistance
Release Date: May 19, 2007
Release Number: 1699-005
» More Information on Kansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
WICHITA, Kan. -- Homeowners, renters and business owners in Barton, Osborne, Ottawa and Phillips counties who suffered damage as a result of the May severe storms, tornadoes and flooding are now eligible to apply for federal disaster assistance.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) have been working together to help Kansans recover since May 6 when President Bush issued the major disaster declaration.
"Adding these counties means that residents in eight Kansas counties now qualify for Individual Assistance," Michael L. Karl, federal coordinating officer, said. Edwards, Kiowa, Pratt and Stafford counties were previously designated.
In addition, local governments and certain eligible private nonprofit organizations in Barton, Edwards, Pratt and Stafford counties may now apply for Public Assistance grants.
Under the federal disaster declaration, state and affected local governments receive a minimum 75 percent of the approved costs for debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and the restoration of damaged public facilities. Certain private, nonprofit organizations may be eligible for assistance as well.
"We want to make sure everyone who is eligible gets the assistance they need," Angee Morgan, state coordinator for the disaster recovery, said.
The disaster programs for individuals include temporary housing and grants for disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other programs.
Homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes in Barton, Edwards, Kiowa, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Pratt and Stafford counties who sustained damages and losses can now register for disaster assistance with FEMA and apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Register by calling toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) TTY 1-800-462-7585 for speech- or hearing-impaired applicants or online at www.FEMA.gov.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal Rights. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the Fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
SBA is the federal governments primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 23-May-2007 15:07:40