More Than 2,400 Visit Disaster Recovery Centers
Release Date: June 18, 2001
Release Number: 1379-14
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Houston, TX -- In less than three days, more than 2,400 people have visited eight Disaster Recovery Centers in Southeast Texas seeking information concerning disaster assistance.
- To date, more than 47,925 residents in the 28 declared counties have registered for disaster assistance.
- State officials are distributing more than $3.3 million and processing more than 16,300 requests for Individual and Family Grant (IFG) assistance. IFG may be used to cover disaster-related and other expenses, such as essential home repairs, replacement of personal property, transportation, and necessary expenses or serious not covered by insurance or other programs. The program is administered by the State and funded at 75 percent by FEMA and 25 percent by the State.
- Disaster housing checks totaling more than $14.2 million have been approved for individuals to assist with temporary housing, and minor home repairs.
- Individuals may register for disaster assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration line at 1 800 462-9029 (1 800 462-7585 for hearing- and speech-impaired persons). If you have already applied for assistance, but want to check on the status of your application or update your current information, you can call the toll-free Helpline number 1 800 525-0321 (TTY 1 800 462-7585). All lines are open from 8 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Saturday. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available through the Texas Workforce Commission for those who lost income because of the disaster including farmers, farm workers, migrant farm workers, and other self-employed individuals. The deadline for applying for DUA is July 16, 2001.
- The Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support Hospital at the Astrodome has treated 246 patients to date.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recovered two 250-gallon drums, 127 55-gallon drums and 75 5-gallon pails and several dozen propane cylinders, gasoline cans, fire extinguishers and compressed gas cylinders.
- Voluntary agencies continue to work to shelter, feed, clothe and otherwise assist flood victims. Their activities include: There are nine shelters open (six American Red Cross) with 287 residents. The ARC has served 639,027 meals and snacks to date.
Salvation Army has 30 canteens through which more than 100,000 snacks and meals have been served.
Last Modified: Monday, 20-Oct-2003 14:13:03