Disaster Assistance For New Mexico Surpasses $13 Million
FEMA Mobile Home Community Complete
Release Date: December 7, 2006
Release Number: 1659-022
» More Information on New Mexico Severe Storms & Flooding
SANTA FE, N.M. -- More than thirteen million dollars in awards and loans have been approved since the Presidential disaster declaration was issued for New Mexico on August 30, 2006, according to figures released today by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the New Mexico Office of Emergency Management.
In addition to the awards and loans, set up of a mobile home community in Rincon also will be completed this week. The mobile home community was established to serve as a temporary solution to house families displaced because of the severe storms and flooding this past summer. According to officials, 65 families have been leased into the units since the 5th of November when the first units became available. “We are going to house as many people who are eligible and are in need of housing,” said Juan Gil, FEMA Human Services Branch Director.
“Even though the registration period has ended we will continue to process cases, disburse awards to families and obligate funds to the state for damaged infrastructure,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Tony Russell.
The following is an update of recovery activities at close of business Wednesday Dec. 6:
- 1,525 registrations have been received.
- 1,811 applicants have visited one of two Disaster Recovery Centers in Hatch and Alamogordo.
- Disaster awards totaling $1.6 million have been disbursed for the Individuals and Household Program.
- The Disaster Unemployment Assistance program has disbursed $28,000.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $3 million in disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses affected by the flooding.
- 19 counties are eligible to apply for the Public Assistance Program to assist with infrastructure losses. To date, 142 applications have been received and 535 projects have been awarded to the state for a total federal share of $8.9 million.
The Public Assistance Program provides funds to eligible municipalities, public agencies, qualified private non-profit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes or authorized tribal organizations for approved costs of debris removal, emergency protective measures, road repairs, repair of water control facilities and restoration of buildings, utilities, and recreational facilities. After an inspection of damages, FEMA obligates funds to the state, and the state in turn disburses the funds to the applicant. FEMA and the State of New Mexico have already awarded the Village of Hatch $457,946 in public assistance funding for the summer floods. FEMA and the State of New Mexico will continue to provide public assistance funds to communities throughout the State as projects are reviewed and approved.
Helpline Number Continues to Operate
Individuals, families and business owners in Dona Ana and Otero who have already registered can call FEMA’s toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 to inquire about the status of their applications. The Helpline number is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Multilingual operators are available to take calls.
Individuals with Internet access have the option to seek information on their applications on FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov.
SBA Information
SBA information is available from SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or on line at www.sba.gov.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 08-Dec-2006 09:11:51