Disaster Assistance Totals More Than $4.9 Million
Release Date: May 30, 2003
Release Number: 1465-26
» More Information on Oklahoma Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Oklahoma City, OK -- Federal and state officials announce nearly $4.9 million has been approved for disaster assistance to help those affected by the severe storms and tornadoes that began on May 8. Updated disaster information is as follows:
- A total of 3,241 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, Carter, Cleveland, Delaware, Grady, Kay, Kingfisher, Lincoln,
Logan, McClain, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Osage, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie,
Roger Mills, Texas and Washington are eligible to apply for disaster
assistance.
- The counties of Cleveland, Lincoln, Oklahoma and Osage are eligible
for Public Assistance in all seven categories that include debris removal,
emergency protective measures, and the repair of roads, bridges, and
public facilities. Twenty-four kick-off meetings have been held for
local governments.
- Approved disaster housing funds total nearly $714,000 and include
assistance for temporary disaster housing and home repair. Close to
$540,000 has been approved for Other Needs Assistance that covers disaster-related
medical, funeral, dental and transportation expenses, along with replacement
of personal property, and other serious disaster-related needs.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued more than
1,900 applications and approved more than $3.7 million for 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. Anyone needing help filling out the SBA application can
visit an SBA Loan Officer at one of the Disaster Recovery Centers.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available through the Oklahoma
Employment Security Commission. Applications may be filed by calling
toll-free 1-888-840-9675.
- 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.
- Mitigation personnel have assisted more than 270 visitors at Disaster
Recovery Centers by supplying them with important information on cost-effective
measures to reduce or eliminate risk to human life and property from
natural disasters. Meetings with affected communities are also underway
to discuss rebuilding guidelines in flood-hazard areas. Mitigation continues
to work closely with the American Red Cross to educate chapters on the
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
- Since the May 3, 1999 tornadoes approximately 6,000 new safe rooms
have been built across Oklahoma. FEMA offers a free 25-page illustrated
publication on building a safe room. "Taking
Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room Inside Your House,"
is available by calling toll-free 800-480-2520 (press option
three at the recorded message). For safe room success stories and more
information on building a life-preserving shelter, log onto the FEMA
website at www.fema.gov/mit/saferoom.
- Volunteer agencies continue to identify those who have disaster-related
needs and the Oklahoma Long-term Recovery Committee will be working
with families who need assistance. The volunteer agencies are offering
assistance to those who are not able to clear disaster debris from their
homes. Residents can call 1-800-539-8541.
- 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
weather, state and federal officials have three Disaster Recovery Centers
(DRCs) in operation at the following locations.
The centers provide information on disaster programs or can check on the status of applications. Thus far, approximately 917 people have visited the centers.Tri-County Technology Center
6101 SE Nowata Road
Bartlesville, OK
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon. - Sat.Cheyenne City Hall
317 Broadway
Cheyenne, OK
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon. - Sat.Moore Park & Recreation Community Ctr.
301 S. Howard
Moore, OK
8a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon. - Sat.
- The Oklahoma Bar Association provides free legal assistance for those who may need advice on disaster-related legal issues such as lease or insurance problems. 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.
Individuals affected by this disaster may 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. The line operates every day except Sunday.
Most assistance offered under government programs will not compensate individuals for their entire disaster loss. However, disaster recovery programs can help meet basic needs in time of disaster.
Last Modified: Monday, 02-Jun-2003 10:17:26