Disaster Aid To Floridians Exceeds $2.38 Billion
Release Date: November 3, 2004
Release Number: 1539-252
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Disaster aid to Floridians affected by this year’s four hurricanes has climbed to $2.38 billion. Nearly 1.1 million victims have applied for federal and state assistance.
Officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) urge all homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage from the recent hurricanes to apply for assistance as soon as possible.
The number to call to register for assistance is 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA). The hearing and/or speech impaired should call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Registration can also be done online at www.fema.gov.
A breakdown of the amounts and types of assistance to date:
- More than $846 million in federal and state disaster assistance has been approved for Florida residents in all 67 counties. Of that amount, $406 million is in grants to pay for lodging expenses, rental assistance and minimal home repairs. Another $440 million is to cover assistance for other needs, which may include such items as repair or replacement of personal property, funeral expenses, and medical and dental costs related to the hurricanes.
- Approximately $1.067 billion in emergency response and protective measures has been approved. This includes costs for such items as temporary roofs, water, food, ice and other emergency services.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $392 million in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses. Businesses also may be eligible for economic injury loans to help them get back on their feet following a disaster.
- Public Assistance (infrastructure) funds have begun to flow to local governments and certain private, non-profit entities. Currently, $73 million has been approved, and more than 1,790 requests for aid are awaiting review.
- Nearly 42 million cubic yards of an estimated 49 million cubic yards of debris has been cleared.
- Nearly 300,000 people have visited FEMA/SERT Disaster Recovery Centers located throughout Florida.
- FEMA housing inspectors have visited more than 683,000 properties to verify damage losses.
- 3,781 manufactured housing units – mobile homes and travel trailers – have been provided to hurricane victims.
- More than 23,000 National Flood Insurance Program claims have been received.
Mitigation has been a major focus for FEMA, providing funds and technical advice to eligible candidates to make their homes and businesses more storm resistant.
Stories and pictures have been posted recently on www.fema.gov of mitigation projects in Florida that weathered the hurricanes successfully.
One story concerns the Lighthouse Resort Inn and Suites in Fort Myers Beach, which has elevated four buildings since 2003. After Hurricane Charley, the buildings were undamaged, dry and open for business, saving an estimated $200,000 in repair costs.
Another story is about the First Baptist Church of Punta Gorda, which rebuilt its sanctuary in 2001 to conform to the Florida Building Code. It saved an estimated $250,000 in losses.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire
Last Modified: Wednesday, 03-Nov-2004 19:31:55