Hawaii Flood Recovery Update
Hundreds Have Been Assisted At Disaster Recovery Centers
Release Date: May 26, 2006
Release Number: 1640-017
» More Information on Hawaii Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
HONOLULU, Hawaii. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Hawaii State Civil Defense officials continue working in partnership to help Hawaii residents and businesses as they continue their recovery from the severe storms and flooding. More than 275 people were able to visit the state/federal Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) before their closings at the end of this week.
“It’s important that Hawaii residents affected by the recent storms know that even though the DRCs are closing, assistance is still readily available,” said Michael Karl, federal coordinating officer for the disaster.
The DRCs are transitioning into U.S. Small Business Recovery Centers and Outreach Centers to continue to assist renters, homeowners, and businesses of all sizes with SBA’s disaster loan program. For current SBA center hours and locations, or for additional SBA assistance, call the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955, or visit SBA’s website at www.sba.gov.
Those who have yet to register for FEMA assistance, have questions about the status of their FEMA applications, or want to update information in their files, can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing- or speech-impaired, from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time), Monday through Saturday. Registration can also be done online at www.fema.gov.
RECOVERY FACTS:
- The City and County of Honolulu and Kaua’i County were designated for federal disaster assistance due to the effects of severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides during February 20 to April 2, 2006.
- $447,898 in grants has been given to those affected by the severe storms.
- 463 individuals have registered for disaster assistance.
- 303 home inspections have been completed by FEMA inspectors. If an applicant submits a disaster loan application to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in most cases the SBA will inspect the damaged property to determine the cost for repair to repair or replace the damaged property.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved low-interest disaster loans totaling more than $979,400 for Hawaii homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 30-May-2006 07:32:12