Typhoon Recovery Tops $50 Million
Release Date: August 31, 2002
Release Number: 1426-23
» More Information on Guam Typhoon Chata'an
Dededo, Guam --With the September 10 application deadline only ten days away, nearly 12,000 people have registered with FEMA for assistance as a result of damages from Typhoon Chata'an. To date, more than $50.8 million in individual and public assistance disaster grants have been approved. The following is a summary of disaster activity and various forms of assistance provided to victims of Typhoon Chata'an as of August 30nd.
- More than $9.5 million in FEMA disaster housing checks has been issued
to 5,947 residents affected by Typhoon Chata'an.
- To date, 12,005 applicants have registered for federal/state disaster
assistance. The purpose of the Disaster Housing Program is to help families
be safely housed following the effects of a natural disaster. FEMA disaster
housing assistance may include lodging expense reimbursement, emergency
minimal repair assistance, temporary rental assistance and mortgage
and rental assistance.
- $8 million in Public assistance reimbursement funds has been approved
to cover emergency protective services, debris removal, roads and bridges,
water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, and other
items. Some of the projects approved to date include: Department of
Public Works; Department of Education; Guam Military Affairs; Guam Telephone
Authority; Department of Mental Health; Department of Corrections; Guam
Waterworks Authority; and the Port Authority of Guam. Additional approvals
are added to the list as project worksheets are completed.
- $19.3 million in U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster
loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes for the repair
or replacement of property damaged or destroyed by Typhoon Chata'an
has been approved. SBA disaster loans are the primary form of federal
assistance for privately owned real and personal property to fund repair
and replacement costs that are not fully covered by insurance or other
recoveries.
- $14.5 million has been approved for the Individual and Family Grant
Program (IFG). The program, administered by GovGuam, provides grants
to help families cover serious needs and necessary expenses not covered
by insurance or other disaster assistance programs.
- Housing inspectors continue to verify damage to determine eligibility
for FEMA disaster housing assistance. FEMA presently has 11 inspectors
on island, and to date 10,007 inspections have been completed.
- Members of the U.S. Coast Guard's Atlantic and Pacific Strike Forces
are in Guam to assist in containing, packaging and disposing of hazardous
waste resulting from Typhoon Chata'an.
- A Crisis Counseling grant of more than $147,000 was awarded to GovGuam
to provide crisis counseling for residents. The FEMA grant is being
administered by the University of Guam Cooperative Extension Services
in collaboration with the Department of Public Health and Substance
Abuse. Those who wish to talk to someone about their feelings regarding
their disaster-related losses are encouraged to call 735-2128 for referrals.
- A total of 12 members of the Army Corps of Engineers are continuing
with their logistic support, power generation, and recovery and disposal
of debris on both Guam and Chuuk State.
- To-date, 11,676 people have visited the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) at the Yigo gymnasium and the Merizo Community Center. Anyone with disaster losses can apply for a wide range of federal and locally administered aid programs by calling the toll-free registration number or by visiting one of the Centers. Telephones are available at these locations for contacting FEMA's toll-free registration line. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both centers will close permanently on September 10.
Individuals and business owners who suffered losses or damages during Typhoon Chata'an are encouraged to register by calling FEMA's toll-free number, 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- and hearing- impaired. These numbers are in operation from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Guam time, Monday through Friday.
Those who have already registered but need to update their information (new telephone numbers, for example) or who have questions about the status of their application, should call the local Helpline number at 633-9820, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Guam time
Last Modified: Wednesday, 13-Aug-2003 11:17:16