At Six Months, Federal Aid After Florida Tornadoes Nears $40 Million
Release Date: August 1, 2007
Release Number: R4-07-121
ATLANTA, Ga. -- Six months after tornadoes struck Central Florida, federal disaster assistance to impacted people and communities has passed $39.1 million.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that more than 2,400 Floridians applied for disaster assistance after tornadoes pummeled the area on Feb. 2.
The total in federal disaster aid includes more than $25 million to individuals. FEMA's Individual Assistance Program provided $3.5 million in disaster grants to households, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provided $22 million in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.
Meanwhile, FEMA has obligated $13.6 million in Public Assistance Program funds to local governments and agencies to remove debris, provide disaster-related emergency services and repair or rebuild damaged infrastructure.
FEMA and other federal agencies have helped Floridians recover by spending:
"By the Numbers" as of July 31, 2007
Total federal outlay, $39,141,181.25.
- $13,617,955 in Public Assistance funds, for 158 community-recovery projects by local governments and certain agencies such as utility districts
- $22,056,300 in SBA disaster loans, for homeowners, renters and businesses
- $17,987,200 in loans for homeowners and renters
- $4,069,100 in SBA loans, for businesses
- $3,466,926.25 in disaster assistance, through the Individuals and Household Program
- $2,841,144.97, Housing Assistance (repairing uninsured homes to a safe, sanitary and functional condition and temporary disaster housing)
- $625,781.28, Other Needs Assistance (disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs such as medical or dental expenses, funeral expenses, moving and storage, transportation costs and the repair or replacement of household appliances, clothing and necessary educational materials)
- 2,461 applicants from Lake, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 01-Aug-2007 16:47:41