Disaster Aid Tops $1 Million
Release Date: March 22, 2003
Release Number: 1454-08
» More Information on Kentucky Severe Winter Storms
Richmond, KY -- Federal and state assistance approved for residents of Kentucky's 15 disaster counties has passed the million-dollar mark as the number of families registering for recovery aid reached 1,300.
Assistance for housing and essential needs of those who suffered losses in the severe winter storms of February totaled $1.16 million Saturday, eight days after the declaration was issued by President Bush.
"Registration so far is about what we expected," said Gracia Szczech of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the official in charge of federal recovery operations. "We think the number will increase as more people in the disaster counties make that important registration call."
FEMA's toll-free application line, 1-800-621-3362 (1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired), is available daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice.
Individual and family assistance totaling $466,000 was approved to help 147 families with serious needs not covered by insurance or met by charitable organizations.
Grants totaling $688,259 were approved for 274 families in need of disaster housing and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued 394 home and 110 business loan applications and approved $72,900 in loans.
Residents were urged to register by Cash Centers, assistant director of the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management. "It takes only a few minutes and we don't want to see anyone who has suffered a loss not take advantage of the assistance that is available," said Centers.
The declared counties are: Breathitt, Carter, Clark, Fayette, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Martin, Owsley, Perry and Pike.
Last Modified: Monday, 24-Mar-2003 10:32:20