Community Relations Working in Storm-Affected Counties 

Release Date: June 7, 2007
Release Number: 1699-025

» More Information on Kansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

WICHITA, Kan. -- Community Relations specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are reaching out to Kansans affected by the May 4-18 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

Currently 18 Kansas counties are eligible for Individual Assistance: Barton, Clay, Cloud, Comanche, Edwards, Kiowa, Leavenworth, Lyon, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Riley, Saline, Shawnee and Stafford.

FEMA representatives will always wear or carry an official U.S. Department of Homeland Security photo identification badge and usually wear FEMA clothing.

Community Relations teams are canvassing communities in the declared areas, offering homeowners, renters and business owners information about available disaster assistance programs.

"We rely on our Community Relations staff to get the word out," said Michael L. Karl, federal coordinating officer for the Kansas disaster recovery. "Our field people are professionals with official identification from all walks of life and locations. Since their work is up close and personal, they gain the satisfaction of helping people who may otherwise not be aware of benefits."

Community Relations team members also meet with representatives of community-based agencies, community leaders and public officials. When Community Relations staff identifies unmet needs, information is communicated to the state or federal staff best able to respond.

"We are making every effort to inform disaster victims about the benefits available," said Angee Morgan, state coordinating officer. "It is essential Kansans who have disaster-related needs get registered and learn about the assistance being offered."

Residents in need of assistance are urged to register first by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with special speech or hearing needs.

Assistance programs may include grants to help individuals pay for temporary disaster housing needs; grants for essential repairs needed to restore residences; grants to repair or replace damaged property; and grants for serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations for losses not fully covered by insurance. These loans are at low interest rates and long terms that make the loans affordable to almost any budget. The SBA may loan up to $200,000 to repair homes, up to $40,000 to replace disaster-damaged personal property and a maximum of $1.5 million is available for businesses.

Representatives of SBA are at all of the Disaster Recovery Centers to meet individually with each resident or business owner to answer any questions about SBA's disaster loan program, help them complete a disaster loan application and accept completed applications.  Anyone not able to go to a DRC should call the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 for SBA information and assistance or visit the SBA website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Thursday, 07-Jun-2007 04:17:35