More Than $350 Million Approved For Rita Victims In Texas
More Than 300,000 Persons Apply For Disaster Aid
Release Date: October 7, 2005
Release Number: 1606-022
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita
AUSTIN , Texas -- In less than two weeks, the total assistance approved for individuals and families in Texas affected by Hurricane Rita has reached more than $351.8 million. Federal and state disaster recovery personnel, as well as hundreds of volunteers, continue to provide services such as food, water and ice; generator installations; mass care for both human and animal needs; animal rescue; and shelters for general and special needs.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that 327,221 residents have registered for disaster assistance since President Bush declared parts of the state eligible for disaster aid on September 24.
Disaster assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other aid programs. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are also available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
A snapshot of other disaster aid in Texas in response to Hurricane Rita:
- In the initial federal response, 2.7 million 8-lb. bags of ice, 10.8 million liters of water, and 5.8 million meals have been distributed in Southeast Texas .
- Twenty-two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are currently open and assisting disaster victims. Four additional DRCs are providing services to special needs populations. To date, more than 106,000 state residents or temporary evacuees currently residing in Texas have visited the centers.
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continues to facilitate the delivery of generators throughout affected areas. So far, a total of 246 generators have been installed at critical facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and water and sewage treatment plants.
- As more evacuees in Texas have found more comfortable housing solutions, the general population in shelters has dropped to 6,500 in 102 shelters. The sheltering total is down from peak numbers reported on Sept. 25 of 99,000 people in 400 shelters.
- More than 250 State/FEMA community relations specialists are conducting door-to-door outreach in storm-damaged neighborhoods.
- Operation Blue Roof is managed by the USACE to cover roofs with less than 50 percent damage. So far, 1,600 homeowners in five counties have signed up for the program. For more information, call 888-ROOF-BLU.
- Twenty-eight drive-through points of distribution for water, ice and meals and a total of 63 food stations (operated by the Salvation Army, American Red Cross and Southern Baptist Convention) are providing needed supplies and food in areas with no power or few services. In addition, the American Red Cross has more than 46 emergency response vehicles, which also serve meals.
Affected Texas residents and businesses, as well as displaced evacuees currently residing in the state, are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for the hearing and speech-impaired. The lines remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual registration personnel are able to assist applicants in several languages. Internet registration is available online at www.fema.gov .
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: Tuesday, 11-Oct-2005 08:27:37