Disaster Assistance For Ohio Reaches $6 Million
Release Date: October 1, 2004
Release Number: 1556-014
» More Information on Georgia Hurricane Ivan
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In less than two weeks since President Bush issued a disaster declaration on September 19, more than $6 million in grants has been approved to assist flood-stricken residents in southeastern Ohio, according to figures released today by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA).
Local, state and federal recovery officials and voluntary organizations have combined efforts to assist victims of the severe weather in putting their lives back together. This is a summary of recovery activities as of close of business September 30:
- 4,724 individuals from the 20 designated counties have called to apply for assistance
- 1,870 applications have been approved for Disaster Housing Assistance grants, totaling $3,392,094 – for repairing disaster-damaged, uninsured homes to a safe, sanitary and functional condition and for temporary disaster rental assistance (see county-by-county breakdown attached)
- 435 applications have been approved for Other Needs Assistance grants, totaling $2,674,568 – for medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation and other eligible expenses
- 3,197 applications for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans have been issued - for homeowners, renters and businesses of any size
- 860 people have visited the Disaster Recovery Centers operating in the affected areas
Call to Apply. Those who suffered damages or loss from the flooding and severe storms that occurred between August 27 and September 27 are urged to apply for assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free application number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with a speech or hearing impairment can call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until further notice. Officials report that the volume of calls usually drops significantly after 6 p.m.
Additional Assistance Available at Disaster Recovery Centers. After calling to apply, people can visit a Disaster Recovery Center to get disaster assistance information, receive help in completing their SBA loan applications or talk with mitigation specialists and receive information on low-cost ways to reduce future disaster damages. Even people who were not affected by the recent flooding and storms can visit the centers to receive mitigation information to reduce future damage.
Flood Insurance Information is also available at the Disaster Recovery Centers. Those with flood insurance questions may visit a mitigation specialist at a center to get more information.
Disaster Recovery Center locations and hours:
- Washington County: Washington County Courthouse, 205 Putnam Street, Marietta
Open Mon. – Sat., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., until further notice - Belmont County: Engineers Garage, 45741 Roscoe Road, St. Clairsville
Open Mon. – Sat., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., until further notice - Columbiana County – Columbiana County Career Center, 9364 State Route 45, Lisbon
Open Mon-Fri., 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until further - Monroe County: Clarington Union Hall, 105 Union Drive, Clarington
Open Thurs. – Sat., Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 only, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Perry County: Crooksville Fire Dept., 22 China Street, Crooksville
Open Thurs. – Sat., Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 only, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Noble County: Belle Valley Fire Dept., Main Street, Belle Valley
Open Mon. - Wed., Oct. 4 – 6 only, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Jefferson County: Dillonvale Fire Department, 153 Main Street, Dillonvale
Open Mon. - Wed., Oct. 4 – 6 only, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Stark--Carroll County: Minerva Fire Dept., 505 East Lincoln Way (State Route 30), Minerva
Open Fri, Sat. Mon., Oct. 8, 9 & 11 only, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Guernsey County: Byesville Fireman’s Assoc. Bldg. (Bingo Hall), 210 Seneca St., Byesville
Open Fri, Sat. Mon., Oct. 8, 9 & 11 only, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to help people who are out of work as a direct result of the disaster and who do not otherwise qualify for unemployment benefits, such as self-employed agricultural and hourly workers, self-employed business people, and business owners unable to provide services. Applications for these benefits may be filed by calling the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services at 1-877-644-6562 (877-OHIO-JOB) from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. The deadline to apply is October 19.
The State of Ohio Donation Management Hotline is receiving calls to coordinate donations and volunteers for victims of recent flooding in Southern and South Eastern Ohio. The State Emergency Operations Center established the number to help match assistance with identified community needs. The toll free number is 1-888-356-6364 (1-888-FLOOD-OH) with daily hours of operation from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Donation operators will then coordinate distribution of material through Ohio Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD). Telephone Pioneers, a volunteer organization, are assisting with the Donation Management Hotline. Those wishing to volunteer their time or services in affected counties can call 1-800-865-8683 (1-800-VOLUNTEER) to match their skills with specific needs.
The Ohio EMA coordinates State assistance and resources during an emergency and prepares the state for all hazards through planning, training, exercises and funding activities at the state and local level. This includes providing assistance to individuals and administering state and federal assistance to individuals and governmental entities recovering from disaster-related damage and costs. Ohio EMA coordinates homeland security funding, weapons of mass destruction training, anti-terrorism planning and training, and assists local and state agencies determine homeland strategies and priorities.
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, 01-Oct-2004 16:55:33