Fayette County Designated For Individual Assistance 

Release Date: August 7, 2003
Release Number: 1482-08

» More Information on Tennessee Severe Storms, High Winds, and Heavy Rain

Nashville, TN - Disaster assistance for Fayette County has been expanded to include aid for homeowners, renters and businesses affected by the July 21st and 22nd severe storms, high winds and heavy rain in Tennessee, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.

Michael D. Brown, FEMA Director and Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said the additional assistance was approved based on a review of damage data gathered by federal and state disaster recovery officials. The county was previously designated for public assistance under the original disaster declaration issued by President Bush on July 29, 2003.

"We remain committed to delivering assistance wherever it's needed and to making sure that every qualified individual and family receives the help they need to get back on the road to recovery," Brown added.

Affected residents and businesses owners in Fayette County may apply for disaster assistance immediately by calling FEMA's toll-free application number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., local time, every day until further notice. Those with speech or hearing impairment should call TTY 1-800-462-7585.

Brown said calling these numbers is the only way to apply for a wide range of state and federal disaster assistance programs that can include funding for temporary housing, U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary expenses not met by other programs.

Callers are advised to have the following information available to help speed up the application process:

DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INFORMATION

When disaster strikes, FEMA administers a number of disaster assistance programs and coordinates the efforts of many other federal agencies that provide services to help people through the recovery process. The types of assistance that are available follow:

Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs

INDIVIDUALS & HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM (IHP): Provides financial and/or direct assistance to applicants who have disaster related expenses and/or serious needs that are not addressed through other means. Under IHP, applicants may be eligible to receive Housing Assistance and/or Other Needs Assistance not to exceed the specific program limits or the overall cap established by law.

Housing Assistance: Temporary Housing Assistance may be provided to address the applicants' eligible disaster related housing needs. Assistance may be provided to rent a different place to live or a temporary housing unit may be provided when other housing resources are not available. Homeowners may be eligible for Repair Assistance to repair damages as a result of the disaster that are not covered by insurance. As a condition of receiving Repair Assistance, flood insurance may be required if the home is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area.

Other Needs Assistance: Assistance may be provided for uninsured or underinsured disaster related expenses and serious needs. This assistance may include such items as medical and dental expenses, funeral and/or burial services, transportation, clean-up equipment, moving and storage expenses, room furnishings and appliances, and other necessary needs.

U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

HOME/PERSONAL PROPERTY DISASTER LOANS: Disaster loans are available to homeowners and renters for restoring or replacing under-insured or uninsured disaster-damaged real and personal property.

BUSINESS DISASTER LOANS: Disaster loans are available to repair or replace destroyed or damaged business facilities, inventory, machinery, equipment, etc., not covered by insurance. Loans also may be available to small businesses for working capital to assist them during the disaster recovery period.

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 Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Thursday, 07-Aug-2003 08:47:15