$4 Million In Aid Flows To Kansans In First Two Weeks After Disaster
Release Date: May 19, 2007
Release Number: 1699-006
» More Information on Kansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
WICHITA, Kan. -- Less than two weeks after President Bush issued a major disaster declaration for Kansas, more than $4 million in state and federal financial assistance has been approved to help individuals, families and businesses recover from losses suffered in the severe storms and tornadoes
Nearly $1.2 million has been approved under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individuals and Households Program. Of that figure, nearly $855,000 was approved in Housing Assistance grants and $332,600 was approved for Other Needs Assistance grants to help with disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or met by charitable organizations.
The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $3 million in low‑interest disaster loans to Kansas residents and businesses in Edwards, Kiowa, Pratt and Stafford counties affected by this disaster.
Barton, Osborne, Ottawa and Phillips counties were added for Individual Assistance on Friday.
To date, FEMA has received nearly 1,000 applications for aid from residents of Edwards, Kiowa, Pratt and Stafford counties that were designated for Individual Assistance under the disaster declaration.
As state and federal officials work to find housing for people whose homes were destroyed, four Greensburg families have moved into travel trailers provided by FEMA.
"We encourage people who may need assistance to register as soon as possible and let FEMA determine if there are programs that can help them," Federal Coordinating Officer Michael L. Karl said.
FEMA has been coordinating the work of other federal agencies in responding to this disaster and providing equipment, services and funding. Prior to the installation of temporary office buildings for Kiowa County in Greensburg, county, city, state and federal officials have been using seven FEMA mobile units as offices.
"We are working closely with FEMA to ensure that all necessary resources are being made available to the communities affected by this disaster," State Coordinating Officer Angee Morgan said.
Following is a detailed explanation of programs available under the Kansas disaster declaration.
Individual Assistance
Homeowners, renters and businesses in designated counties who sustained damages and losses can register for disaster assistance with FEMA and apply for SBA low-interest disaster loans.
FEMA's toll-free application number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) is available to take registrations from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. The TTY number is 1-800-462-7585 for applicants who are speech- or hearing-impaired.
Applicants who need additional information or want to talk face-to-face with federal and state agency representatives can visit a Disaster Recovery Center in Greensburg, Haviland or Trousdale. To date, nearly 1,000 visits have been recorded.
A mobile Disaster Recovery Center opened in Greensburgs Court House Square to bring immediate on-site assistance to tornado victims. Its hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.
A larger Disaster Recovery Center in Haviland is located in Hockett Auditorium at Barclay Community College, 100 East Elm St. It is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. FEMA Individual Assistance and Mitigation, SBA, Social Security, the Internal Revenue Service and state agencies are represented. Visitors can see a full-size display of a Safe Room.
A second mobile unit in Trousdale is serving residents of Edwards, Pratt and Stafford counties from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. FEMA can move these motor homes equipped with self-contained electrical and communications systems on short notice to serve communities hit by disasters.
FEMAs temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses, most individuals must apply to SBA. For this reason, homeowners and renters who receive a referral from FEMA to SBA should complete and return their disaster loan application to SBA as soon as possible, even if they are not sure if they will need or want a disaster loan.
SBA representatives at all Disaster Recovery Centers are available to meet one-on-one with applicants to explain the SBA low-interest disaster loan program, the application process, answer any questions, provide assistance in completing your disaster loan application and accept completed disaster loan applications for processing. Help also is available from the SBAs Customer Service Center by calling toll-free 800-659-2955 or online at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
Public Assistance (Infrastructure)
In Kiowa County, 19 local government, state agencies and eligible private nonprofit organizations have filed Requests for Public Assistance, the FEMA grant program that provides funding on a cost-shared basis for emergency services and permanent repairs to infrastructure damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.
Public Assistance was made available Friday to four additional counties: Barton, Edwards, Pratt and Stafford.
Hazard Mitigation
The May disaster declaration also provides for funding from FEMAs Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). This funding helps ensure that the opportunity to take critical measures to protect life and property from future disaster is not lost. Eligible applicants, including state and local governments and some private nonprofit organizations, may apply to the state which forwards applications to FEMA for review and funding. HMGP is a cost-share program, with 75 percent federal funding.
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 15:47:27