Within Four Weeks- More Than $6.3 Million Has Been Approved For Disaster Assistance
Release Date: May 29, 2007
Release Number: 1697-031
» More Information on Texas Severe Storms and Tornadoes
EAGLE PASS, Texas -- Four weeks since President Bush signed a disaster declaration for the Texas counties affected by the severe storms and tornadoes of April 21-24, more than $6.3 million in disaster aid has been approved for residents and businesses.
Recovery summary information is as follows:
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More than 1,300 individuals have applied for assistance by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) toll-free registration number at: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Lines are open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., until further notice. Multilingual operators are also available. Those affected by the storms can also register online at www.fema.gov. The deadline to apply for assistance is July 2, 2007.
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Those who suffered disaster-related damages and losses from the April 21-24 severe storms and tornadoes are reminded to register with FEMA as soon as possible and not to rule themselves out as being eligible for disaster assistance. Even those with insurance are encouraged to register as insurance may not cover all damages and losses. Making that important toll-free phone call or registering online at www.fema.gov is the only way to apply for FEMA assistance.
More than $3.4 million has been approved to help disaster-affected Texans with temporary housing and home repairs.
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Nearly $550,000 has been approved for the repair or replacement of personal property and disaster-related transportation, medical, dental and funeral expenses.
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More than 1,000 damage inspections have been completed. Those who may be awaiting an inspector are reminded to keep their appointments to speed recovery assistance.
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued 711 applications to homeowners and 172 applications to businesses. SBA has approved nearly $2.4 million in low-interest, disaster loans.
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An SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Denton County at the Denton Civic Center, 321 East McKinney. SBA customer service representatives are on hand to answer questions about SBA's disaster loan program and help individuals fill out their application. FEMA Individual Assistance specialists are also on site to help those who may have questions about their applications. This center will cease operations on Thursday, May 31 at the close of business.
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An additional SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center will open in Jourdanton at 711 Broadway St., (in the old jail building). The Center will open May 30 and remain open through Saturday, June 2 with hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- More than 1,700 people have visited Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to: talk face to face with a recovery specialists, get help filling out an SBA loan application and check the status of their applications.
DRCs are located in the following counties and are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The centers are closed on Sundays.Maverick County at Nick Carr Youth Center, 253 Ruela Drive, in Eagle Pass
Moore County at Cactus Community Center, North Dr. and Sherri St., in Cactus -closing June 2 at 6 p.m. - People living or working in the five (Atascosa, Denton, Maverick, Moore and Swisher) disaster-designated counties whose jobs were affected by the severe storms and tornadoes on April 21-24 may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Those who think they may be are eligible or need more information can call the TWC at 800-939-6631.
Claims must be filed by June 2, 2007 for persons living or working in Maverick, Moore and Swisher Counties. The deadline for Denton County is June 7, 2007, and the deadline for Atascosa County is June 24, 2007.
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The State Bar of Texas has established a Disaster Hotline at 800-504-7030 to assist people in Atascosa, Denton, Maverick, Moore and Swisher counties with basic legal questions. These may include advice on replacing lost documents, housing-landlord-tenant disputes, consumer rights and insurance questions.
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Crisis counseling is available for those who live in disaster-designated counties of Atascosa, Denton, Maverick, Moore, and Swisher. If you or someone you know is suffering from signs of stress, you are encouraged to call one of the following crisis counseling centers: Atascosa County - 1-800-543-5750; Denton County - 1-800-762-0157; Maverick County - 1-800-543-5750; Moore County - 1-800-692-4039; and Swisher County - 1-800-687-1300.
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Voluntary agencies continue to respond to the needs of disaster victims and the initial phase of organizing an Unmet Needs Committee in Swisher and Moore counties has begun. The Interfaith Long-term Recovery Committee has a case management program in Maverick County.
- The FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) is also available daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Those who want to check on the status of their application or talk with an operator can call and choose the appropriate calling option.
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: Tuesday, 29-May-2007 15:07:06