FEMA Aid to Alabama at $614 Million Eight Months after Katrina
Individuals and Families Receive $125.5 Million
Release Date: May 1, 2006
Release Number: 1605-209
» More Information on Alabama Hurricane Katrina
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Eight months have passed since Hurricane Katrina battered the Gulf Coast, triggering an unprecedented recovery effort and the most challenging housing crisis in Alabama history. Since Katrina, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency have approved $613.7 million dollars in disaster aid to Alabamians and evacuees from other states affected by the storm.
“Although the application deadline has passed, we are still working to administer claims and provide assistance to Katrina survivors and evacuees,” said Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer Del Streid. “Our other primary concern continues to be the transition of evacuees from temporary housing to more permanent living situations.”
“We continue to work diligently with state agencies and local officials on our long term recovery program,” says State Coordinating Officer Bruce Baughman. “We are also actively participating in the preparedness effort for the upcoming hurricane season.”
Assistance in Alabama to date includes:
$125.5 million in assistance to individuals and families
- More than 36,200 individuals and families received housing assistance totaling $88.6 million. This includes $63 million in rental assistance.
- 30,024 Katrina survivors received $37 million for other essential needs.
$114.2 million in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans
- The U.S. Small Business Administration approved $83.9 million in loans to 2,279 homeowners and renters plus,
- $25.7 million to 304 businesses and
- $4.6 million in loans to 70 small business owners for working capital and repairs.
$374 million was approved for the following
- Public Assistance (PA) approved $97.2 million for infrastructure costs, debris removal, protective measures such as emergency services and law enforcement, road and bridge repair and the restoration of public utilities.
- FEMA approved a total of $5.6 million for crisis counseling services.
- Alabama has received approximately $855 thousand in Disaster Unemployment Assistance for individuals out of work as a result of Katrina, and who were not covered by regular unemployment assistance.
- The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) disbursed $16 million in initial flood damage claims.
- More than $254 million was obligated for mission assignments allowing for services, equipment and personnel from many federal agencies, the American Red Cross and other volunteer organizations. These services included the use of military aircraft for rapid needs assessment, crisis counseling for survivors, interpreters for non-English speaking individuals, and shipments of 280 truckloads of ice, 186 truckloads of water, 103 truckloads of Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), 11 truckloads of generators, 27 truckloads of cots, 32 truckloads of blankets, and the removal of debris and hazardous materials.
Other disaster assistance:
- 4,815 individuals live in interim housing facilities in Alabama. Interim housing includes hotels and 1,629 travel trailers on commercial and private property and on other FEMA leased sites.
- To date, 112,837 Alabama residents applied for various federal and state assistance programs. The deadline to register for assistance in Alabama was March 11, 2006.
- 40,222 individuals sought services at 31 State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers. Services for the aging were provided to 1,954 individuals.
- 99.9 percent or 95,066 housing inspections in Alabama have been completed.
- 256,333 Katrina survivors received food stamps issued by Alabama Department of Human Resources. This represents $29.3 million, received through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- 3.243 million cubic yards of storm-related debris has been disposed of statewide.
- Close to $55 million is anticipated for hazard mitigation projects to help Alabamians rebuild to standards that help prevent damage in future storms.
The deadline has passed for Katrina survivors to register for assistance. Applicants who would like to check the status of their claim or update their contact information may call toll-free at 800-621 FEMA (3362) or TTY for the hearing-or-speech impaired 800-462-7585. Applicants may also check their claims online at www.fema.gov. Please have your FEMA registration ID number handy when you call.
Remember: Hurricane season begins June 1st. Make sure you and your family are prepared by: 1) drafting a family disaster plan; 2) stockpiling food and water for at least 72 hours and; 3) preparing for special family members such as the elderly and those with disabilities.
The "Getting Ready for Disaster" DVD is available by calling the FEMA Distribution Center at 800-480-2520, or is available for viewing on the Web at www.fema.gov. The DVD is only available in English, but in coming months, Spanish captions will be available along with English captions and the English soundtrack, all on a single DVD.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 01-May-2006 14:48:13