Nearly $1 Million Approved In Disaster Assistance During First Week
Release Date: May 30, 2002
Release Number: 1416-06
» More Information on Illinois Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Springfield, IL -- Federal, state, local and voluntary agencies are working in partnership to help Illinois residents following recent storms, tornadoes, and flooding, which began April 21 and continued until May 23. This is an update of their activities to date:
- Nearly $1 million in disaster grants and low-interest loans has been
approved for 232 applicants in just the first week since President Bush
issued a major disaster declaration. A total of $316,716 in grants,
which include temporary rental assistance for those whose homes have
been severely damaged and funds to make essential repairs, has been
approved. To date, 716 Illinois residents have applied for assistance.
These checks may be just the first type of assistance that individuals
will be eligible to receive to help them begin the recovery process.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $605,300
in low-interest disaster loans. The first of these loans were distributed
yesterday to three Illinois families and a business owner in the tornado-damaged
community of Fairfield. The SBA is the primary source of federal funds
for long-term disaster recovery for owners of private property, including
homeowners, renters, non-farm businesses of all sizes and private non-profit
organizations. These low-interest loans cover costs of repair or replacement
of damaged real estate, personal property and business assets not fully
covered by insurance or other aid.
- Residents and business owners in 30 declared counties who sustained
damage or loss can begin the disaster application process by calling
toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the
hearing and speech impaired. Phone lines will be available from 8 a.m.
to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday until further notice.
- Four Disaster Recovery Centers are now open at these locations:
- Fairview Heights Fire Station, 10045 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights<
- Old Grade School, Old Cafeteria, 1901 Perkins, Mt. Vernon
- Williamson County ESDA Office, IL Route 148, Marion
- Dongola Fire Department, U.S. Route 51, Dongola
These centers will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday, June 1.
The centers provide a single location where people are able to talk face-to-face with recovery, restoration and rebuilding specialists. Representatives from state and federal agencies, and some private-sector organizations, will staff the joint FEMA and IEMA Disaster Recovery Centers. Some of the things people can accomplish at the centers include:
- Inquiring about the status of the application they have already made
by phone;
- Referrals for temporary rental assistance resources;
- Assistance completing U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest
loan applications for homeowners, renters or business owners;
- Examining options for repairing or rebuilding in floodplains;
- Learn common-sense measures to reduce the impact of future flooding
or disaster losses;
- Receive information about Disaster Unemployment Assistance;
- Receive state and federal disaster tax assistance;
- Referrals to local agencies that provide crisis counseling
- Receive information about the Individual and Family Grant Program;
- Receive referrals to American Red Cross and other voluntary organizations to help with immediate unmet needs
FEMA Community relations specialists are working with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and county emergency management directors to reach out to people affected by the recent storms, tornadoes and flooding that began on April 21 and continued until May 23.
Teams are canvassing communities in the affected areas in southern Illinois offering individuals and small businesses information about available disaster relief programs, which include grants to help pay for temporary housing needs, minor home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses, as well as low-interest SBA loans to repair or replace damaged property. They will also meet with representatives of community-based agencies, community leaders and public officials.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 19-Aug-2003 16:29:23