Nine State/Federal Community Relations Teams Canvas Disaster-Declared Counties
Release Date: November 15, 2003
Release Number: 1499-06
» More Information on Washington Severe Storms and Flooding
EVERETT, Wash. -- Community Relations teams from the State of Washington Emergency Management Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are reaching out to those affected by the severe storms and flooding that hit the area October 15-23, 2003.
Initially, nine teams have been deployed to cover Clallam, Kitsap, Mason, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties and are working to expand operations into other counties.
On November 7, President Bush issued a major disaster declaration for a 15-county area in northwest Washington. The counties eligible for federal and state disaster aid are Chelan, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Okanogan, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom.
Anthony Russell, the FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer for disaster recovery, stressed that members of the State/FEMA Community Relations teams will be carrying photo identification as they go door-to-door reminding people to apply for federal and state disaster assistance. "Applying for disaster aid is as simple as making one telephone call to FEMA's toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech or hearing impairment should call TTY 1-800-462-7585," said Russell. The telephone lines will be operational every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., local time, until further notice.
State and federal assistance programs include: grants for short-term rental needs, minimal home repairs, and/or to meet serious disaster-related needs not covered by other programs; low-interest U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for any disaster-related damage and/or to replace damaged personal property.
Diane R. Offord, the state official in charge of disaster recovery, said, "Disaster assistance officials are in constant communication with representatives of community-based agencies, community leaders and public officials to assess the needs of families and business owners."
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Monday, 17-Nov-2003 16:32:53