Disaster Aid Passes $1.2 Million
Release Date: October 10, 2008
Release Number: 1798-015
» More Information on Puerto Rico Severe Storms and Flooding
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- More than $1.2 million in grants for disaster aid has been given to Puerto Rico individuals and households by the federal and commonwealth governments, disaster officials announced today.
The assistance is available to homeowners, renters and businesses in 19 municipalities, mostly across the southern half of the island.
Below is an update of disaster activity through the close of business on Thursday:
- A total of 14,872 households and businesses had registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- A total of $1,276,841 in grants have been given to individuals and households by FEMA and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
- Government agencies and qualifying nonprofit agencies in 24 municipalities may be eligible under a separate FEMA program for reimbursement of 75 percent of their costs for emergency measures, debris removal and rebuilding public infrastructure.
- Nine Disaster Recovery Centers have been opened, in Cabo Rojo, Guayama, Humacao, Lajas, Maunabo, Patillas, Ponce, Salinas, and Yabucoa. The centers are open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Residents are encouraged to register with FEMA first, then come to the centers to meet in person with people who can help them fill out loan applications, track their FEMA cases, learn how to rebuild safely, and talk about personal issues stemming from the disaster. Through Thursday, 3,382 people had visited the centers to do just that.
- Sixteen teams of Community Relations staffers are on the ground, knocking on doors and meeting face-to-face with victims. So far, CR teams have met more than 3,100 people.
- Contractors working for FEMA have inspected 2,200 homes to verify damage and check for any damage that may have been missed.
- Jose Pinerio, the Governor's Authorized Representative for the disaster; Karilyn Bonilla of the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency, the State Coordinating Officer, and Justo Hernandez of FEMA, the Federal Coordinating Officer, have all been visiting mayors across the affected area to discuss response and recovery efforts.
The aid is for damage from the storms and flooding of September 21 through October 3. President Bush declared eight municipalities a disaster area on October 1, and the declaration was amended October 8 to make residents of eleven more municipalities eligible for assistance. The 19 are: Arroyo, Cabo Rojo, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Gurabo, Humacao, Juncos, Lajas, Maunabo, Peñuelas, Patillas, Ponce, Salinas, Santa Isabel, San Lorenzo, Villalba, Yabucoa, and Yauco.
One person from each household can register, by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) - use option 2 for Spanish (TTY 800-462-7585) - or by going online at www.FEMA.gov. Phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until further notice. Web registration is available at all times. Those registering are encouraged to have a pen and paper to write down the registration number they will be given. Also, they should be sure to give their name exactly as it is written on their Social Security card, and give their address exactly as it is given on their driver's license or other legal documents.
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: Friday, 10-Oct-2008 20:22:16