Disaster Aid For El Paso County Tops $1 Million 

Release Date: July 14, 1999
Release Number: 1276-43

» More Information on Colorado Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- As of July 14, disaster assistance for El Paso County totals almost $1.2 million, state and federal recovery officials said today.

More aid is available, but today, July 16th, is the last day individuals, families and businesses can register for the assistance. Anyone with disaster-related losses should call FEMA's toll-free registration number 1-800-462-9029 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) to begin the assistance process. The Presidential disaster declaration issued for Colorado on May 17 makes available a variety of state and federal disaster assistance programs. Although flooding caused the majority of disaster losses, other storm-related damages may also qualify.

Housing grants for 1,224 households in El Paso County have reached $815,949, according to Federal Coordinating Officer Scott Logan of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Housing grants fund essential emergency repairs for homeowners that make a home livable, or cover the cost of alternate housing for either homeowners or renters whose dwellings are unlivable due to the flooding.

The state-administered Individual and Family Grant Program has assisted 231 households in the county with a total of $170,530, according to State Coordinating Officer Tommy Grier. The Individual and Family Grant Program is funded 75 percent by FEMA and 25 percent by the state. This program helps to meet serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.

Federal and state funds to help rebuild infrastructure such as roads, storm drains and parks currently totals $207,478 for El Paso County. Additional funding is expected to be approved.

Those who have already applied for assistance and need information about disaster-related programs or the status of a filed application should call the Disaster Helpline at 1-800-525-0321 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585).

Last Modified: Tuesday, 16-Dec-2003 14:44:14