Disaster Assistance Available For Flood Victims In Five Kansas Counties
Release Date: July 5, 2007
Release Number: 1711-003
» More Information on Kansas Severe Storms and Flooding
WICHITA, Kan. -- President Bush today authorized that residents and businesses in five Kansas counties who suffered property damages or losses from severe storms and flooding that began June 26 can now register for federal and state disaster assistance, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The counties are Elk, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho and Wilson.
A toll-free application telephone number and on-line registration are now operational. Officials encourage those affected by the disaster to apply for assistance immediately by going online to www.fema.gov or by calling this toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Monday through Saturday until further notice. Those with speech or hearing impairments may call TTY 1-800-462-7585.
The declaration makes a wide range of programs available to residents such as funding for temporary disaster housing assistance, replacement grants for serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or assistance programs.
When applying for help, be sure to have the following information available:
- Your current phone number;
- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying;
- Your Social Security number, if available;
- If insured, the name of your company or agent and your policy number;
- General financial information;
- Bank account coding if you wish to expedite your assistance with direct deposit.
FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate you for your entire loss. If you have insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy.
Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other help may come in the form of loans. The FEMA representative will explain the details to you when you call.
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.
This is a declaration amendment to a July 2 major disaster declaration for 17 Kansas counties that makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures. This assistance is limited to direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program in Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Butler, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Coffey, Cowley, Elk, Franklin, Linn Miami, Montgomery, Neosho, Osage, Wilson, and Woodson counties.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments 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.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal Rights. If you are suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the Fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.
SBA is the federal governments primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
Last Modified: Friday, 06-Jul-2007 15:40:13