Disaster Assistance Totals More Than $800,000
Release Date: May 16, 2003
Release Number: 1465-08
» More Information on Oklahoma Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Oklahoma City, OK -- In less than a week since the disaster declaration, federal and state officials announce that more than $800,000 has been approved to assist those affected by the severe storms and tornadoes that began on May 8. Current disaster information is as follows:
- Nearly 2,000 residents have registered for disaster assistance since
President George W. Bush's May 10 declaration. Under the disaster declaration,
individuals and businesses residing in the counties of Canadian, Cleveland,
Grady, Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma, Pottawatomie are
eligible to apply for disaster assistance.
- The May 14 declaration amendment made the counties of Cleveland,
Lincoln, Oklahoma and Osage eligible for all seven categories for Public
Assistance (infrastructure support).
- Approved disaster housing and other needs funds total more than $600,000
and will be used for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious
disaster-related needs.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued more than
1,000 applications and approved more than $218,000 in low-interest disaster
loans for repairing or replacing damaged property. SBA urges those who
receive application packets in the mail or at Disaster Recovery Centers
to complete the applications and return them quickly to SBA. Completing
the application is necessary to be eligible for other forms of assistance.
If you need help in filling out the SBA application, you can visit one
of the Disaster Recovery Centers where SBA Loan Officers will assist
you.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available through the Oklahoma
Employment Security Commission. Applications may be filed by calling
toll-free 1-888-840-9675. The deadline for filing an application is
June 14, 2003.
- Consumers can report disaster-related fraud or price gouging incidents
by calling the Oklahoma State Attorney General's Consumer Protection
hotline at 405-521-2029.
- Volunteer Agencies continue to identify those who have disaster-related
needs and to plan for long-term recovery efforts. The United Methodist
Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is offering assistance to those who are
not able to clean disaster debris from their homes. Residents can call
405-530-2130 or 1-800-539-8541 for more information. The American Red
Cross has served more than 36,000 meals and snacks and assisted nearly
400 families with recovery efforts. The Salvation Army has served more
than 18,000 meal and snacks, and volunteers have logged more than 300
volunteer hours in the tornado and storm-affected areas.
- Both adults and children affected by the recent disaster may become
stressed and confused by the sudden adversity in their lives. Crisis
counseling assistance is available by calling the hotline number:
800-522-9054.
- To further help individuals and businesses affected by the severe storms and tornadoes that began on May 8, state and federal officials have opened five Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) at the following locations.
| Moore DRC 301 S. Howard Moore, OK |
T. H. Rogers Lumber Bldg. 211 N. 3rd Ave. Stroud, OK |
| Midwest City DRC 300 W. Mid-America Midwest City, OK |
Edmond Downtown Community Ctr. 28 E. Main Edmond, OK |
| Bethany DRC 6700 NW 36th St. Bethany, OK |
DRC hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mon. - Sat. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. At the centers, visitors can get information on disaster programs or check on the status of their application. Thus far, nearly 150 people have visited the centers for information.
- Legal assistance is available for those who may need advice on disaster-related
legal issues such as lease or insurance problems. The Oklahoma Bar Association
provides the free service, and those who need legal advice can call:
405-416-7000 or 1-800-522-8065, Mon. - Fri. from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Legal advice can also be obtained at any of the Disaster Recovery Centers
listed above from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
- Damaged household chemicals, not handled properly, may be a threat to your safety. Chemicals such as paints, varnishes, kitchen cleaners, fertilizers, pesticides and any flammable liquids need to be disposed of by using one of the several collection locations set up around the Oklahoma City area.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) advise those who have disaster-damaged household chemicals to dispose of them safely at any of the following collection centers:
| Freewill Baptist Church SE 15th & Henney Choctaw |
Crossroads Mall South of Wards Auto Express Oklahoma City |
| Bethany Public Works 5300 North Central Bethany |
First Christian Church 629 Northwest 12th Moore |
Individuals affected by this disaster may still register for disaster assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing- impaired.
While most assistance offered under government programs covers basic needs only and will not compensate individuals for their entire loss, disaster recovery programs can give a helping hand to those in need on the road to recovery.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 03-Jun-2003 11:16:29