By the Numbers 018
Ike Update: Disaster Assistance Surpasses $1.5 Billion To Texans
Release Date: December 19, 2008
Release Number: 1791-345
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Ike
AUSTIN, Texas -- Federal and state disaster assistance for Texans affected by Hurricane Ike continues to grow daily. The total now tops $1.5 billion.
The Texas Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), partners in the state's recovery, provide the following summary of continuing disaster assistance as of Thursday, Dec. 18:
- More than $426 million in disaster assistance for housing, disaster-related needs and disaster unemployment assistance is in the hands of Texans for Hurricane Ike recovery.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $442 million in low-interest disaster loans.
- More than $419 million has been billed for short-term, transitional sheltering in hotels/motels for eligible applicants. Some 4,500 eligible individuals and families are still participating in the program.
- More than 20 million cubic yards or 84 percent of eligible debris has been cleared from disaster-affected counties. To date, more than $228 million in public assistance funding has been obligated.
- FEMA has provided temporary manufactured housing for 2,216 applicants or 61 percent of the 3,656 applicants eligible for direct housing assistance.
- There are 13 FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers open in affected counties, offering face-to-face assistance. More than 134,000 visits have been made to the centers.
The deadline to register for assistance has been extended to Monday, Jan. 12, 2009. To register, go online to www.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic
Last Modified: Monday, 22-Dec-2008 10:21:18