President Declares Major Disaster for Texas
Release Date: September 24, 2005
Release Number: HQ-05-301
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita
» Federal Aid Programs for Texas Disaster Recovery
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that federal disaster aid has been made available for Texas to help people and community’s recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Rita beginning on September 23, 2005, and continuing.
R. David Paulison, Acting Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, and Director of FEMA, said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by President Bush.
Immediately after the President's action, Paulison designated the following counties eligible for aid to stricken residents and business owners: Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange and Tyler.
The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Federal funding also is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in all 254 counties in the State of Texas for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, at 75 percent Federal funding.
For a period of up to 72 hours, Federal funding is available at 100 percent of the total eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, for all 254 counties in the State of Texas.
Under an amendment to this declaration, the time period for 100 percent Federal funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, has been authorized for a total of 34 days.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Paulison indicated that more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after assessments are fully completed in the affected areas. He named Alexander S. Wells of FEMA as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Wells said those who sustained losses in the counties designated for aid to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process tomorrow by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 30-Sep-2005 15:27:00