Michigan Disaster Assistance Tops $51 Million In Less Than Two Months 

Release Date: August 27, 2004
Release Number: 1527-043

» More Information on Michigan Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding

EAST LANSING, Mich. - More than $51 million in grants and low-interest loans has been approved for almost 34,000 disaster victims in less than two months since President Bush issued a disaster declaration in Michigan, state and federal disaster officials announced today.

Almost 90,000 residents have already called to apply, but disaster officials are reminding victims who have not called that there are only a few more days left in the 60-day application period. The deadline to call and apply is 6 p.m. on Monday, August 30.

Individuals and business owners who suffered losses in the 23 disaster-declared counties as result of the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding, which struck from May 20 to June 8, may apply for disaster assistance by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) special toll-free number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Phone lines are open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and multilingual operators are available.

Disaster assistance may continue after the deadline, but victims must call before 6 p.m. on Monday, August 30 to begin the process.

Those applicants who initially indicated that they had insurance should be sure to call the FEMA Helpline at the same 800 number listed above once they receive their final settlement. FEMA will need this information to determine if they might be eligible for any additional assistance for uninsured or underinsured losses.

In addition to almost $40 million in grants that has been approved, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has also approved 1,181 low-interest loans, totaling $12,690,100. These cover 1,081 loans for renters and homeowners and 100 for business owners. The SBA has issued almost 51,000 loan application packs, but less than a thousand have been completed and returned.

Applicants who do not complete their loan applications are excluding themselves from additional forms of assistance. If the SBA is unable to approve a loan, the applicant may be referred to other available disaster assistance programs, including Other Needs Assistance grants.

Three SBA Workshops are still available to provide face-to-face loan officer assistance, but two will close this evening:

County listings of individual assistance grants approved as of close of business August 26:

County Application Calls
Received to Date 		Applications Approved
to Date 		Grants Approved
to Date
Barry 99 48 $125,327
Berrien 190 43 $66,102
Cass 36 10 $17,659
Eaton 200 100 $107,661
Genesee 1,034 337 $383,359
Gladwin 9 6 $14,872
Ingham 495 220 $323,379
Ionia 20 8 $12,244
Jackson 210 56 $76,897
Kent 122 49 $104,237
Livingston 34 15 $35,696
Macomb 1,159 534 $809,873
Mecosta 10 4 $16,045
Muskegon 57 17 $18,226
Oakland 2,907 1,124 $1,523,614
Ottawa 31 20 $43,140
Saginaw 398 112 $134,089
Sanilac 52 32 $71,028
Shiawassee 67 37 $50,587
St. Clair 490 353 $834,733
St. Joseph 18 9 $23,314
Washtenaw 78 34 $41,962
Wayne 80,460 30,722 $33,899,137

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: Friday, 27-Aug-2004 10:37:10