Remarks by Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer for FEMA Justo Hernandez at the Orlando Disaster Field Office "Hurricane Charley Recovery Briefing" 

Release Date: August 29, 2004
Release Number: HQ-04-140

» More Information on Florida Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie

Orlando
August 29, 2004
(Remarks as Prepared)

Good Morning.

FEMA and the State of Florida continue to reach out to media newsrooms across the country with daily satellite-delivered, Hurricane Charley “recovery news updates.”

We will be here again tomorrow at 11:00 Eastern Time and throughout the week. News editors be alert to our late afternoon media advisories outlining the next day’s briefing.

Now for today’s Message FEMA and the state of Florida are committed for the long term to those affected by Hurricane Charley.

We continue to assess staffing in this recovery effort and shift staff as priorities change.

We opened a Disaster Field Office in Port Charlotte shifting more staff to that area.

We have completed nearly 90% of housing inspections so we released half our housing inspectors.

More than 160,000 people have registered for assistance. That says “our messages are getting out” so we are releasing community relations workers.

Priorities change we assess it’s as simple as that. Be assured, we will keep here the number of people needed here to help the people of Florida recover.

CLEAN – UP

FEMA and the State of Florida continue to urge everyone to clean up storm-damaged homes and buildings. WORK CAREFULLY.

The American Red Cross continues their distribution of free cleanup and comfort items.

Today large trucks with Red Cross markings will be in Charlotte, Desoto, Hardee, Lee and Polk counties.

Get your cleaning supplies get that debris to the street but work carefully.

And the American Red Cross still has nine service centers in Florida’s hardest hit areas with nurses and crisis counselors.

News Editors call the Red Cross media desk for more information.

REGISTRATIONS

2,670 people called the FEMA registration line Saturday, Aug 28.
FEMA and the State of Florida continue to push the registration message we can’t help if we don’t know you need help.

161,404 have called since August 13th.

Call 800-621-fema (3362) if you were affected by Hurricane Charley.
800-462-7585 TTY for the speech and hearing impaired.

HOUSING

$48.5 million approved for housing assistance, up nearly $2 million from Saturday.

Another $30.6 million to disaster victims for other needs for a total of $ 79.1 million, up more than $3 million from yesterday.

47,792 checks have been sent.

17,168 households approved for rental assistance

57,928 housing inspections completed nearly 3,000 more than yesterday’s totals.

246 temporary housing units are occupied up 50 from yesterday.

566 more are ready for occupancy and more are being readied everyday.

3,662 roofing repairs have been completed by The U.S. army Corps of Engineers up nearly 600 from yesterday

Hundreds more roofing repairs completed by numerous voluntary agencies.

Plastic sheeting is available from county Emergency Operations Centers.

4,000 rental units identified by HUD and referred to families in need of housing.

POWER RESTORATION

The number of households without power continues to decrease. Estimates are below

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS

25,389 people have visited the 14 FEMA/STATE Disaster Recovery Centers up 2,000 from yesterday.

This word to News editors please continue to print and broadcast Disaster Recovery Center locations because DRC’s are where victims can speak face-to-face with disaster recovery professionals from federal, state and local agencies.

INSURANCE

Insurance deductibles are not a normal FEMA-covered item.

News editors remind your readers viewers and listeners that they must resolve their insurance claims first. Federal disaster assistance is for uninsured and underinsured loses.

Remember, a Small Business Administration Loan can cover disaster-related needs. Here’s Michael Lampton from the Small Business Administration.

Reminder we have Spanish speaking operators in Texas and Puerto Rico hundreds more operators in Maryland and Virginia taking applications for disaster assistance.

To register for assistance update your application or get more information call
FEMA1- 800- 621-FEMA (3362) TTY for speech and hearing impaired 1- 800-462-7585.

Now back to Sterling Ivy from the State of Florida, Sterling.

Last Modified: Monday, 30-Aug-2004 14:17:06