Disaster Aid For York County Floods Tops $500,000
Release Date: June 9, 2006
Release Number: 1644-012
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NEWINGTON, N.H. -- Two weeks after the presidential disaster declaration for the state of Maine, more than $500,000 in state and federal disaster aid has been approved to help York County residents and businesses recover from flood-related losses resulting from the severe storms and floods that deluged the county.
State Coordinating Officer Steve Burgess of the Maine Emergency Management Agency said affected persons should apply now rather than wait for insurance settlements because insurance may not cover all of their losses.
“We are committed to getting people back on their feet as quickly as possible,” Federal Coordinating Officer Kenneth Clark said, “and will continue to process disaster claims until all residents have received the recovery aid to which they are entitled.”
The following is a summary of ongoing recovery efforts thru close of business June 7:
- To date, 679 applicants from York County have called the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) to apply for state and federal aid.
- 285 individuals and families have been approved for Disaster Housing Assistance grants of $516,880 to help with temporary housing and essential home repairs.
- 45 residents have been approved for $27,758 in Others Needs Assistance 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.
- To date more than 100 people have visited the Disaster Recovery Center in Wells and a mobile center which has made stops in Berwick, York and South Lebanon, seeking information about recovery programs.
- Thus far, FEMA inspectors have completed 482 inspections of damaged property. Most were completed within three to five days of initial registration, depending on applicant and inspector schedules.
- 554 applications have been issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest home repair/personal property loans to homeowners and renters, along with 94 business loan applications.
- A Community Relations outreach team continues 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.
- A briefing was conducted for state agencies, cities, towns and eligible non-profits in York County on the application process to apply to FEMA’s Public Assistance program that provides funds for the repair of roads, bridges, public buildings and debris removal.
Residents and business owners with flood-related losses are urged to begin the application process immediately by calling, toll-free, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. Trained personnel are available to take applications from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.
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: Wednesday, 06-Dec-2006 12:00:56