Community Relations Specialists Visit Flood Damaged Areas
Release Date: November 29, 2003
Release Number: 1500-13
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides
CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- Community relations specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), are reaching out to people affected by the storms, flooding and landslides that began on November 11.
The specialists canvass communities in the declared areas, offering individuals and small businesses information about available disaster relief programs, including grants to help pay for temporary housing needs, minor home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses.
“We rely on our community relations staff not only to get the word out but also to find out first hand the problems communities and individuals in the communities are facing,” Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Bolch explained.
FEMA staff members go door-to-door to talk with individuals who suffered damage. They also meet with representatives of community-based agencies, churches, community leaders and public officials. When they identify unmet needs, information is communicated to the state or federal staff best able to respond. “Reaching out in this way lets people know that we’re doing everything we can to help,” Bolch said.
According to State Coordinating Officer Stephen S. Kappa, “We are making every attempt to inform disaster victims about the benefits available to them through a disaster declaration. This may require special means of communications and/or special types of assistance, all of which the community relations specialists help to ensure.”
Declared counties include: Boone, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Fayette, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Marion, McDowell, Mercer, Monongalia, Monroe, Nicholas, Putnam, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, Webster, Wetzel, and Wyoming.
The FEMA specialists will be reminding people that to apply for disaster assistance, they must first call the toll-free number at 1-800-621-3362. For those who are speech- or hearing-impaired, the number is 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). Both phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
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 Administration.
Last Modified: Monday, 01-Dec-2003 08:20:29