Aid For Maine Recovery Surpasses $11.9 Million
Release Date: July 20, 2007
Release Number: 1691/93-026
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AUGUSTA, Maine - Three months after the Patriots' Day flooding, Maine continues to recover from sustained damages. State and federal assistance to Maine residents and communities has surpassed $11.9 million to help individuals and communities recover, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
April brought two disaster declarations to the state of Maine, one for severe storms and flooding in mid-March, and one for the Patriots' Day nor'easter. As a result, FEMA Public Assistance (PA) has obligated over $681,000 for 121 projects in Hancock, Knox, Lincoln and Waldo counties for damages resulting from the March event. Damage from the nor'easter has yielded over $6.5 million for 585 PA projects in 13 counties so far.
The FEMA PA program provides funding reimbursement for eligible costs incurred for emergency response or damage to public infrastructure. FEMA provides PA for local governments, state agencies and certain private nonprofits performing government functions.
FEMA has approved more than $1.5 million to cover rental assistance, temporary lodging and grants for home repairs not covered by insurance. More than $129,000 has been approved for personal property loss, medical or dental costs and other significant disaster-related expenses. More than 2,700 households applied for assistance following President Bush's disaster declaration on April 25, which designated six Maine counties eligible for Individual Assistance.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved low-interest disaster loans totaling more than $3.2 million for homeowners, renters and business owners to repair their dwellings or businesses, replace damaged personal property and provide businesses with working capital.
Although the registration period has ended, individuals who have applied for assistance and have additional questions may visit www.fema.gov/assistance or call the toll-free FEMA Helpline 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the speech- or hearing-impaired. For questions regarding SBA disaster loans, call 1800-659-2955, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., weekdays, or 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Friday, 20-Jul-2007 16:18:35