Hurricane Rita Victims Receive $582.3 Million in Disaster Assistance and $156.9 Million in SBA Loans
Release Date: March 17, 2006
Release Number: 1606-159
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AUSTIN, Texas -- Families and individuals who suffered damage from Hurricane Rita have been approved to receive more than $739.2 million in assistance from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The new deadline for Hurricane Rita and Katrina evacuees to register for disaster assistance is April 10, 2006 .
Recovery Services Summary as of March 15, 2006:
- 479,581 individuals have registered for Individual Assistance.
- $582,304,316 has been approved through the Individuals and Household Program. Of that, FEMA has provided $499,716,241 in Individual Assistance and $82,588,075 in Other Needs Assistance.
- $156,967, 900 in loans have been approved by the SBA for more individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Rita in Texas .
- $4,595,875 has been disbursed in Disaster Unemployment Assistance; 7,477 claims have been approved. On March 6, President Bush signed legislation that extended the benefit period to June 3. Disaster Unemployment Assistance is traditionally available for a period of up to 26 weeks from the disaster declaration date.
- 413,432 people have visited the Disaster Recovery Centers. There are five DRCs in Texas . Individuals affected by Hurricane Rita may go to any DRC to have questions answered about disaster assistance in person.
- 343,250 home inspections have been requested. More than 99 percent of those submitted have been completed . There are 27 inspectors in the field. At the peak of operations, more than 900 inspectors were in the field.
- More than 99 percent of the debris from Hurricane Rita has been removed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, cities and counties have hauled away an estimated 8.7 million cubic yards of debris with some 25,000 cubic yards pending removal.
- 4,506 requests for travel trailers have been received. Some 3,885 units are occupied. Accessible units with a wider entrance, handrails, and low-step tub entry also are available.
- The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers installed some 21,000 Blue Roofs (heavy duty plastic sheeting to temporarily patch damaged roofs). The first blue roof was installed Oct. 5, 2005. The program concluded in late December.
- $198 million in Public Assistance has been obligated to Texas by FEMA. The funds will be used by the State of Texas to reimburse local governments and agencies for eligible and documented debris removal, temporary sheltering, interim housing and emergency protective measures associated with Hurricane Rita.
- More than 8.7 million cubic yards of debris have been removed in Texas since Hurricane Rita. Thus far, $83.1 million (included in the above $198 million ) in federal dollars has been obligated to these debris removal efforts by FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. T he Army Corps of Engineers has removed 4.5 million cubic yards; local counties and cities have removed 3.8 million cubic yards. Some 25,000 cubic yards remain. Texas was reimbursed for 100 percent of debris removal efforts for more than 30 days following Hurricane Rita.
- Homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage from the hurricanes can apply by calling the FEMA registration number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) ; TTY 800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired, or go online at www.fema.gov .
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 16-May-2006 19:03:35