Federal Assistance in Kansas Tops $2.25 Million
Release Date: May 17, 1999
Release Number: 1273-15
» More Information on Kansas Tornadoes and Severe Storms
WICHITA, Kan. -- Federal disaster assistance to Kansas victims of the violent storms and tornadoes of May 3 has topped the $2.25-million mark, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
"We are pleased that we have been able to provide so much aid to storm and tornado victims this quickly," said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Curt Musgrave. "The federal/state inspection teams have really been working hard to keep the process moving."
A total of $2,238,392 has been approved to help individuals, families, business owners, communities and certain non-profit organizations. Sedgwick and Sumner counties have been designated eligible for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance (infrastructure support), while Reno County is eligible for Individual Assistance only. There have been 1,799 registrations through the FEMA toll-free numbers.
Disaster assistance funds have been approved as follows:
- 378 checks approved for disaster housing, $434,282
- 131 applications for individual and family grant approved, $555,688
- 32 loans approved by U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), $1,181,400
- 12 applications for infrastructure repair and replacement have been approved for a total of $67,122.
State Coordinating Officer Terri Ploger said she was pleased that federal dollars were coming to the Wichita disaster victims so quickly. "To be less than three weeks into this disaster and be accomplishing this much is a credit to our local, state and federal partnership," she added.
Decisions on loans and grants are made on a case-by-case basis. The first step in applying for disaster assistance is to register with FEMA bu calling toll-free, 1-800-462-9029 (those who are hearing or speech impaired may call TTY 1-800-462-7585). Once you have registered with FEMA, you can call SBA at 1-800-366-6303.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 17-Dec-2003 15:21:11