Disaster Assistance is Available to Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers
Release Date: June 3, 1999
Release Number: 1272-37
» More Information on Oklahoma Tornadoes, Severe Storms, and Flooding
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Disaster assistance is available to Oklahoma farmers and ranchers who have suffered losses as a result of the May 3-5 tornadoes, severe storms and flooding, according to federal and state officials. This includes funding for debris removal, fence rebuilding and conservation structure repairs.
Sixteen counties, and 31 contiguous counties are eligible for individual assistance to farmers and ranchers. The designations open the way for a wide range of federal and state disaster assistance. The declared counties include: Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland, Craig, Creek, Grady, Kingfisher, LeFlore, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Noble, Oklahoma, Ottawa, Pottawatomie and Tulsa. Farmers and ranchers in these counties, and also in the 31 neighboring counties, may be eligible for assistance.
"In addition to the basic disaster assistance programs available to eligible individuals affected by the storms, there are a number of programs specifically for farmers through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the Farm Service Agency," Robert E. Hendrix, Federal Coordinating Officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said.
The Oklahoma State Department of Agriculture is encouraging producers to call their special Tornado Recovery Hotline at 800-580-6543. "Our hotline team has already been in contact with many farmers and ranchers discussing their needs and cost estimates for cleanup, fence repair, livestock, equipment replacement and reconstructing their homes," said Dr. Charles Freeman, Deputy State Agriculture Commissioner.
Farm Service Agency
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) provides emergency funding to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters. The ECP provides funds to replace fences damaged or destroyed and to remove debris from farmland. Cost share levels up to 64 percent are set by County Committees. Eligibility for ECP assistance is determined by County Committees. The individual on-site inspections take into account the type and extent of damage.
- Emergency loans are available to help qualified family farm operators cover production and physical losses in the designated counties. Emergency loans for crop, livestock and non-real estate losses including machinery and buildings are normally repaid in one to seven years, but in special circumstances, up to 20 years. Loans for physical losses are normally repaid in 30 years, but 40 years may be allowed in special circumstances. Local FSA offices have a list of application due dates for each county.
- The Disaster Set-Aside program allows FSA borrowers who are current or not more than one installment behind on any Farm Loan Program to move one scheduled annual installment in each eligible loan to the end of the loan term. The intent of the program is to relieve some of the borrower's immediate financial distress and avoid foreclosure. Borrowers need to contact their local FSA office to determine if they are eligible.
Rural residents in the affected counties should contact their local FSA office, listed in the yellow pages under United States Department of Agriculture-Farm Service Agency.
Rural Development
USDA's Rural Development Housing Program has funds available to assist individuals in rural areas according to Charles Rainbolt, Oklahoma State Director for Rural Development. Assistance available through this USDA program includes:
- Grants of up to $7,500 for very low-income senior citizens (62 and older).
- Loans at 1 percent interest repayable up to 20 years with a maximum of $20,000 for very low- income families.
- Direct loans for low and very-low income families at 6.75 percent for 33 years with interest rates subsidized to as low as 1 percent.
- Guaranteed loan programs for moderate-income families.
USDA's Rural Development Housing Program is restricted to towns and rural areas with populations of less than 20,000.
For more information and to apply for assistance under this program, rural residents can call 800-522-3819, extension 7.
For complete and additional information regarding USDA Rural Development programs log onto: www.rurdev.usda.gov/
Federal/State Disaster Assistance
Programs available to eligible applicants may include:
- Disaster Housing Assistance administered by FEMA, for individuals and families whose homes were damaged by the tornadoes. The program provides funding for temporary accommodations or minimal home repairs to make a property safe, secure and habitable.
- Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners, renters or non-agricultural business owners for the repair, replacement or rebuilding of disaster-damaged property.
- Grants through the Individual and Family Grant program, administered by the State of Oklahoma, for those who have serious immediate needs resulting from the disaster that cannot be met by other sources.
Farmers who had damage to their homes are urged to call FEMA's toll-free registration line at 800-462-9029 (TTY 800-462-7585) to apply for assistance. The toll-free line is in operation from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Volunteer Help
All farmers and ranchers who experienced damage from the tornadoes or floods are encouraged to call the State Department of Agriculture Hotline at 800-580-6543 to request assistance with debris cleanup on their property, removing insulation from fields, and trees from fences. Volunteers may also be available to help rebuild fences.
Farmers who need help clearing debris etc., also can call the United Methodist Committee (UMCOR), at 800-531-7808 or 405-895-7430 seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to arrange for volunteer labor.
More volunteers are needed to help in debris removal in rural areas. Those interested can register by calling the above 800 numbers.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 17-Dec-2003 17:41:38