Release Date: January 9, 2009
Release Number: 1809-038
» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- As the deadline to register for assistance nears, state and federal officials announce today that more than $8.9 million in disaster aid has been approved for residents suffering damage from the severe storms, flooding and tornado during the period of Sept. 11-24.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said individuals and businesses in Missouri that have suffered damage during this period have until the end of business on Monday to register with FEMA for disaster assistance. The deadline to apply is Jan. 12, 2009.
The following is a recovery summary as of the close of business Jan. 08, 2009 for the Individual Assistance program in the declared counties of Boone, Callaway, Chariton, Howell, Jefferson, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Montgomery, Osage, Schuyler, St. Charles, St. Louis, Stone, Taney, Texas, and Webster counties and the Independent City of St. Louis.
More than $4 million has been approved in housing assistance to help disaster-affected Missourians with temporary housing and home repairs. Another $1.3 million has been approved for Other Needs Assistance (ONA), which may include the repair or replacement of personal property and disaster-related transportation, moving, medical, dental, and funeral expenses. Missouri provides 25 percent of ONA money provided to applicants.
3,311 individuals have applied for assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration number.
2,809 damage inspections have been completed. Those who may be awaiting an inspector are reminded to keep their appointments to speed recovery assistance.
More than $3.5 million has been approved for homeowners and businesses by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Those who have questions about low-interest loans from SBA can call 1-800-659-2955, e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov , or visit SBA's Web site at:www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
The SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) will close at the end of business on Monday, Jan. 12, 2009. It is located at the Heman Park Centennial Commons Building, 7210 Olive Blvd., University City, Mo. 63130.
The Young Lawyers Section of the Missouri Bar disaster hotline at 1-800-829-4128 is available to assist people in the disaster-affected counties with basic legal questions, such as replacing lost documents, housing/landlord/tenant disputes, mortgage foreclosure information, consumer rights, and insurance questions. Leave a message to receive a call from a legal specialist. There is no charge for the service.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) information on how to claim disaster losses and other information can be found atwww.irs.gov (click on storms, floods, tornadoes and other disasters and then choose Missouri). The IRS toll-free number for general tax questions is 1-800-829-1040. Disaster assistance from FEMA is not taxable.
Register for FEMA's individual assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired. Telephone lines are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be available until further notice. Applicants can also register online anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov .
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: Monday, 12-Jan-2009 08:34:09