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

Release Date: August 31, 2004
Release Number: HQ-04-146

» More Information on Florida Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie

Orlando
August 31, 2004
(Remarks as Prepared)

Thank you. Good Morning. I’m Justo Hernandez.

This is the daily FEMA/State of Florida Hurricane Charley “recovery news briefing” satellite-fed to newsrooms across the country. As Sterling said, we will take questions from reporters here in the studio and on the conference bridge following the briefing stand by for that.

We are scheduled for briefings throughout the week 11:00 Eastern so news editors watch for the late afternoon media advisories outlining the next day’s briefing.

Be assured FEMA and the state of Florida remain committed to Hurricane Charley victims as we prepare for Hurricane Frances.

The nearly 3,000 federal and state workers are still taking registrations still completing inspections and still processing applications still making sure that applicants are getting the assistance they need and deserve.

And thousands of volunteers are here helping in so many ways feeding, cleaning, putting on temporary roofing materials. The Red Cross has re-located some distribution points so reporters, call the Red Cross media desk for updates.

We continue to assess staffing in the face of Hurricane Frances and are shifting assets. Be assured, the number of people needed here for the Charley recovery will remain here as long as it takes.

REGISTRATIONS
8,697 people registered for assistance Monday total 171,008.
FEMA and the State of Florida continue to say we can’t help if we don’t know you need help.

Call 800-621-FEMA (3362) to register TTY 800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired.

HOUSING
$51 million approved for housing assistance.
$32.9 million to disaster victims for other needs.
$83.8 million total assistance up nearly $3 million from yesterday.

51,291 checks have be sent 18,032 households approved for rental assistance

272 temporary housing units are occupied with 636 are ready for occupancy.

4,000 rental units - identified by HUD – are being offered to families in need of housing.

4,611 roofing repairs have been completed by The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers up nearly 600 from yesterday

Hundreds more roofing repairs have been completed by the 79 voluntary agencies supporting the Hurricane Charley recovery. We are indebted to every one of them and every volunteer for their untiring efforts. Thank You.

61,444 inspections have been completed since the first applicant called 19 days ago more inspections in less time than any previous disaster.

Remember ”Our experienced inspectors work disaster after disaster they know what to look for when they enter a damaged home. They have state-of-the-art, hand-held computer technology. They are giving Floridians the, most accurate fastest possible turn-around from registration to inspection and to check receipt.”

POWER RESTORATION
Power outages still remain but these outages are mostly due to loss of the power infrastructure in the hardest hit counties.

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS
28,662 visits have been logged in the FEMA/STATE Disaster Recovery Centers another 2,000 yesterday. We now have 20 DRCs open.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 31-Aug-2004 17:15:02