Southwestern Virginia Floods Weekly Update $3.4 Million In Assistance Approved
Release Date: August 24, 2001
Release Number: 1386-22
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Tazewell, VA -- As the southwestern Virginia flood recovery enters its eighth week, more than $3.4 million in federal and state assistance has been approved for the many victims whose lives were impacted by the floods, according to figures released today by federal and state officials.
Since the initial presidential disaster declaration on July 12, 1,606 residents have called the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) toll-free registration number 1-800-462-9029 (TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired). Those lines remain open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
"Recovery efforts are progressing in Virginia," said Federal Coordinating Officer Marianne Jackson. "But anyone who suffered losses in the flooding and has not yet called for assistance should do so today."
"We are encouraged by the response we are getting to our recovery efforts," said Deputy State Coordinating
Officer Harry Colestock. "But we intend to continue our aggressive outreach in the impacted areas."
A look at disaster totals from Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell and Wise counties:
Total approved federal and state funding includes the following components:
- Grants totaling $2,096,850 for 1,078 applicants for emergency housing or essential repairs to make their property habitable.
- Grants totaling $765,954 for 245 eligible individuals and families to cover immediate needs or necessary expenses not covered by other programs or insurance.
- Low-interest loans totaling $604,800 for 31 loans to homeowners, renters and business owners by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
A snapshot of other disaster activities in southwestern Virginia:
- To date, 481 people have visited the disaster recovery centers including the mobile disaster recovery centers in Buchanan, Dickenson, Scott, Smyth and Wise counties. Disaster specialists provided information on available assistance programs and answered applicants' questions face-to-face. The Tazewell Disaster Recovery Center will remain open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Inspectors have conducted 1,325 disaster-housing reviews of the 1,459 applications for disaster housing aid. Another 83 new inspections are being scheduled.
- FEMA and the state's community relations teams continue to work with local organizations and community leaders and to reach out to residents directly in all eight counties.
- On August 20, FEMA authorized public assistance funding for Lee, Bath and Washington counties. Public assistance enables local governments in the county to rebuild public property damaged by the recent floods. Other counties designated for public assistance are Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, Smyth, Tazewell, Scott and Wise.
Last Modified: Thursday, 09-Oct-2003 16:06:05