FEMA/State Hurricane Response Daily Summary
FEMA In Florida For The Long Haul
Release Date: September 28, 2004
Release Number: 1539-152
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Jeanne
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Ivan
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Frances
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The state of Florida and FEMA are prepared to continue supplying disaster needs to victims of Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. FEMA is committed to work in the state of Florida for as long as it takes to get disaster assistance to every qualified individual who suffered hurricane damage. To date, more than 611,000 Floridians affected by the four hurricanes have registered for disaster assistance by calling FEMA’s toll-free number: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY -- 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairments.
Never before has FEMA experienced four disaster declarations in one state within 44 days. Also unique to FEMA’s history: twelve Florida counties are eligible to receive assistance for three of the recent hurricanes. Individuals and households living in Brevard, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Lake, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Polk, Seminole and Volusia counties may be eligible to receive disaster assistance for damage caused by Hurricanes Charley, Frances or Jeanne.
Those damaged by more than one of the hurricanes should register for assistance for each disaster in which they were affected. People already registered for Charley or Frances who also suffered damage from Jeanne must call again for a review of new damages.
FEMA is working hard to handle record numbers of applications, so phone lines are very busy. Disaster officials urge callers to be patient. The registration line is open seven days a week, 24 hours per day. Callers who are having trouble getting through should try to call during the non-peak hours, after 8 p.m. and before 6 a.m.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now approved $349 million in assistance to individual Florida households affected by Hurricanes Ivan, Charley and Frances.
The total includes $187 million for housing (part of which includes $66 million in rental assistance for 51,636 applicants), and $162 million for other needs, such as replacement of essential property not covered by insurance or SBA.
FEMA has inspected 279,381 damaged homes. Plastic sheeting has been installed on 28,867 homes and 148,992 waterproof tarps have been provided for distribution to homeowners.
FEMA has placed 795 families made homeless by the hurricanes in travel homes. There are 389 additional travel homes on site ready to be occupied.
SBA has loaned $107 million to those affected by the hurricanes for home and business repairs. SBA low-interest disaster loans are available to qualified renters, homeowners, landlords, business owners and non-profit organizations that suffered losses due to the hurricane disasters. Applicants with questions about loans can visit any federal/state Disaster Recovery Center, call the SBA Helpline at 1-800-359-2227, or visit the website at www.SBA.gov/disaster.
To date, 92 percent of power lost due to Hurricane Ivan in the Panhandle has been restored. However, 37,000 customers still remain without power. Power has been restored to 38 percent of those affected by Hurricane Jeanne, but 1.6 million are without electricity.
Preliminary damage assessments are beginning in 25 counties hit by Hurricane Jeanne.
Disaster assistance information is being delivered directly to affected individuals by 678 community relations personnel.
Three shelters remain open housing 499 people made homeless by Hurricane Ivan. For those made homeless by Hurricane Jeanne, 72 shelters remain open serving 6,935 people.
FEMA’s disaster medical assistance teams (DMAT) have treated 8,900 ill and injured victims of the four hurricanes. Six teams remain activated in counties affected by Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne.
FEMA has 3,755 personnel deployed to the Florida disasters augmented by 495 local hires.
SERT is a collaboration of Florida’s emergency management agencies led by the state coordinating officer. SERT’s mission is to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate their impact. Visit http://www.floridadisaster.org for the latest information on the hurricane relief effort.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 29-Sep-2004 11:07:07