Mass. Disaster Aid More Than $30 Million For May Floods
Release Date: July 11, 2006
Release Number: 1642-023
» More Information on Massachusetts Severe Storms and Flooding
ANDOVER, Mass. -- More than $30.7 million in state and federal assistance has been approved for Massachusetts following the severe storms and flooding that took place during May 12-23, 2006.
To date, 9,306 households from the three disaster-declared counties (Essex – 6,178; Middlesex – 2,593; and Suffolk –535) have applied for disaster assistance since President Bush approved a federal disaster declaration on May 25.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved more than $15.2 million to cover rental assistance, temporary lodging, and grants for home repairs not covered by insurance (Essex - $9.9 million; Middlesex - $4.4 million; and Suffolk - $849,770). In addition, $1.3 million has been approved for personal property loss, medical or dental costs and other significant disaster-related expenses.
Individuals may register for assistance at www.fema.gov/assistance or call toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the speech- or hearing-impaired. The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance or a low-interest SBA disaster loan is July 24, 2006.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved low-interest disaster loans totaling more than $15.4 million for homeowners, business owners and renters. SBA has four locations where individuals can receive assistance in filling out their loan applications.
LAWRENCE – Lawrence Public Library
51 Lawrence Street
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 9-6, Fri. 9-5
LOWELL – Small Business Assistance Center
88 Middle Street – Room 202
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8-5
MELROSE - Senior Center
201 West Foster Street
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8-5
HAVERHILL – United Way of Merrimack
Ward Hill Industrial Park - 237 Neck Road
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8-5
On June 9, President Bush approved assistance for local governments, state agencies and certain private nonprofits performing government functions in Essex and Middlesex counties. FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides funding reimbursement for eligible costs incurred for emergency response or damage to public infrastructure. Applicant briefings were held last week to explain the assistance process in the affected areas. FEMA has received 143 requests for public assistance and has already held 105 kickoff meetings.
A series of free disaster assistance workshops took place at home improvement centers in several Massachusetts and New Hampshire communities June 27-July 8. These workshops are designed to provide information to residents on homeowner mitigation and on state and federal disaster assistance following the mid-May flooding. FEMA disaster experts provided beneficial mitigation tips and disaster assistance information to homeowners, building contractors, architects, and other interested individuals. A total of 642 people attended the workshops and 124 registered for assistance with FEMA.
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 Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 06-Dec-2006 09:26:13