Disaster Recovery Centers Complete Operations; Assistance Still Only A Phone Call Away
Release Date: March 14, 2002
Release Number: 1401-29
» More Information on Oklahoma Ice Storm
Oklahoma City, OK -- Oklahomans still have a day or two to visit one of the four joint Disaster Recovery Centers before they complete their operations, but state and federal officials pointed out that assistance is still only a toll-free call away for ice storm victims.
The joint state/federal Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Weatherford will close at 7 p.m., Friday, March 15, due to a previous Saturday commitment at the National Guard Armory, but the other three DRCs will remain open through Saturday, March 16.
"We are very pleased that almost 7,000 homeowners, renters, and business owners have visited one of these temporary centers," Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Federal Coordinating Officer Jim Roche said. "But the number of visitors has dropped off steadily over the past week or so."
The centers are located at:
- Weatherford National Guard Armory, 223 West Rainey Avenue
- El Reno National Guard Armory, 2600 Malone Drive
- Enid National Guard Armory, 600 East Elm
- Ponca City Hutchins Memorial Auditorium, 5th and Overbrook
"Assistance is just a toll-free call away," Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management (ODCEM) State Coordinating Officer Fred Liebe said. "Ice storm victims should not wait until the April 8th deadline to call for assistance."
FEMA's toll-free application number is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). There is also a special toll-free number for the speech or hearing impaired, (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Both numbers will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays, but are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CST), Monday through Friday until April 8.
These numbers may also be used for applicants to check on the status of their application or to update claim information, without going to one of the Disaster Recovery Centers. The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is Monday, April 8.
More Than $3.4 Million Issued
More than $3.4 million in disaster housing grants, low-interest disaster loans, and individual and family grants have been issued to 5,413b ice storm victims throughout the 45 disaster-designated counties (see attached chart) throughout the state.
According to figures released by the ODCEM and FEMA at the close of business on March 13, the following numbers of people have applied for or received assistance:
- 25,137 Applications have been received
- 5,413 Disaster housing grants issued, totaling $2,295,693
- 4,831 Housing inspections issued
- 4,699 Housing inspections completed
- 448 Individual and Family Grant claims have been issued, totaling $261,903
- 12,002 SBA loan applications issued (8,735 home and 3,267 business)
- 257 SBA low-interest disaster loans approved, totaling $923,200
- 6,710 Individuals have visited one of the Joint Disaster Recovery Centers
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
SBA officials urge applicants to complete their loan paperwork as soon as possible, even if they have not received a final settlement from their insurance company. If the loan application is not returned, it will delay other forms of disaster assistance. SBA representatives are available at all Disaster Recovery Centers for applicants who need assistance completing their loan paperwork. Even after the DRCs are closed, applicants who have questions about the loan packets may contact the SBA at 1-800-366-6303, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Voluntary Agencies Still Providing Assistance
AmeriCorps' National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) has assisted more than 250 affected families in Ponca City, Enid, Kingfisher, and El Reno with debris removal and clean up. Team members are focusing on the homes of elderly, disabled, and those with special needs.
Requests for debris removal assistance are being coordinated through a statewide debris hotline for other affected areas. The hotline, 1-800-539-8541, a collaborative effort of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (OKVOAD), is coordinating debris removal requests with AmeriCorps' NCCC, Mennonite Disaster Services and local faith-based groups.
| County | Applications | Received |
|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa | 49 | |
| Kiowa | 379 | |
| Beaver | 1 | |
| Lincoln | 4 | |
| Beckham | 134 | |
| Logan | 188 | |
| Blaine | 1,067 | |
| Major | 256 | |
| Caddo | 1,279 | |
| McClain | 20 | |
| Canadian | 2,919 | |
| Noble | 1,132 | |
| Cimarron | 0 | |
| Nowata | 4 | |
| Cleveland | 50 | |
| Oklahoma | 3,306 | |
| Comanche | 3 | |
| Osage | 348 | |
| Creek | 3 | |
| Pawnee | 13 | |
| Custer | 1775 | |
| Payne | 102 | |
| Dewey | 130 | |
| Pottawatomie | 4 | |
| Ellis | 23 | |
| Roger Mills | 27 | |
| Garfield | 4,477 | |
| Rogers | 1 | |
| Garvin | 4 | |
| Stephens | 2 | |
| Grady | 234 | |
| Texas | 2 | |
| Grant | 350 | |
| Tillman | 1 | |
| Greer | 26 | |
| Tulsa | 7 | |
| Harmon | 0 | |
| Washington | 64 | |
| Harper | 22 | |
| Washita | 878 | |
| Jackson | 10 | |
| Woods | 26 | |
| Kay | 3,166 | |
| Woodward | 130 | |
| Kingfisher | 1,821 | |
| TOTAL | 25,137 |
Last Modified: Monday, 25-Aug-2003 16:11:54