$1 Million in Flood Aid to Help Nearly 1000 York County Applicants
Release Date: June 16, 2006
Release Number: 1644-019
» More Information on Maine Severe Storms and Flooding
NEWINGTON, N.H. -- Three weeks into the recovery effort $1,081,413 in state and federal disaster aid has been approved to help Maine residents who suffered flood-related losses as a result of the May flooding, according to recovery officials.
All of the homeowners and renters and businesses who have called the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to register for assistance are from heavily flooded York County. Almost 40 percent of the applicants are from the hard-hit towns of Sanford, Wells and York.
"Applicants have been receiving grants within days of applying, thanks to new technology," said Maine State Coordinating Officer Steve Burgess. "Electronic transfers and streamlined processing have been great tools in helping people get back on their feet quickly."
"Still, we know there are people out there with flood-related losses who have not yet applied for help," Federal Coordinating Officer Kenneth Clark said. "These individuals are encouraged to contact FEMA and begin the registration process without delay."
Residents and business owners with flood-related losses can do this by calling, FEMA toll free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. Personnel are available to take applications from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.
The following is a summary of ongoing recovery efforts, close of business, June 15:
- To date, 991 applicants from York County have applied for state/federal disaster assistance. Registration reports show more than 300 applicants in the past week.
- Of these applicants, 459 have been approved for Individuals and Households Program (IHP) grants that total $761,313.
- Housing Assistance of $720,074 has been approved for 443 individuals and families for essential home repairs and temporary housing. These grants are 100 percent funded by FEMA.
- Other Needs Assistance of $41,239 has been approved for 70 residents to help meet serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other programs. Examples include personal property replacement, along with moving and storage, transportation and other necessary expenses. These grants are 75 percent funded by FEMA and 25 percent by the state.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued low-interest disaster loan applications to 818 individuals and to 142 businesses affected by the flooding. To date, $320,100 in loans have been approved by the SBA. The SBA will continue to accept loan applications until the July 24 filing deadline.
- Thus far, FEMA inspectors have completed 812 inspections of damaged property, 98 percent of those that have been issued. Most were completed within three to five days of initial registration.
- Community Relations outreach teams continue to work with local officials and organizations in the declared counties to inform residents and businesses about available state/federal disaster assistance programs. The teams also go door-to-door, encouraging those with damages to apply for assistance.
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.
The Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has statutory responsibility for statewide coordination of emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. MEMA is a bureau of the Department of Defense Veterans and Emergency Management.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 06-Dec-2006 11:59:03