Southwestern Virginia Floods - One Month Update
Release Date: August 10, 2001
Release Number: 1386-17
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Tazewell, VA -- As recovery operations for the severe storms and flooding that first battered Southwest Virginia on July 8-10 reached the one-month milestone, figures released by federal and state officials reveal the hardship and loss endured by area residents.
Since the initial presidential disaster declaration on July 12th, later amended to include additional storm damage that occurred on July 28-29, 1,063 residents in seven declared counties have registered for assistance by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) toll-free registration number, 1-800-462-9029 (TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired). The lines remain open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice.
A brief look at disaster totals:
Total approved federal and state funding stands at $2,273,023 with the largest components including:
- Grants totaling $1,319,322 approved for 625 applicants requesting assistance for emergency housing or essential repairs to make their property habitable.
- Grants totaling $469,001 approved for 143 eligible individuals and families to cover immediate needs or necessary expenses not covered by other programs or insurance.
- Low-interest loans totaling $484,700 approved for 15 loans to area homeowners, renters, and business owners by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
A snapshot of other disaster activities in southwestern Virginia:
- To date, 254 people have visited disaster recovery centers operating in Tazewell County. Beginning Monday, August 20th, teams of disaster recovery specialists will make a series of one-day visits to Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, Scott, Smyth, and Wise counties to provide program information and answer applicant questions face-to-face.
- Inspectors have completed 755 disaster-housing reviews or more than 80 percent of the total of 915 applications for disaster housing aid. Nearly 60 new inspections have been requested on a daily basis since the August 1 declaration.
- FEMA and the state deployed four community relations teams to work with local organizations, community leaders, and to assist applicants directly in all seven counties.
- On August 9, FEMA designated six counties eligible for public assistance reimbursements including debris removal and emergency protective services, such as police and emergency workers overtime, and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings, and utilities. The counties are: Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, Smyth, Tazewell and Wise.
Last Modified: Thursday, 09-Oct-2003 16:16:37