More Than $1 Million In Disaster Housing Grants Issued

Release Date: February 19, 2002
Release Number: 1401-11

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Oklahoma City, OK -- Federal, state, local and voluntary agencies are working in partnership to help Oklahoma residents following the winter ice storm. The application phone lines and five Oklahoma Disaster Recovery Centers will continue to be staffed Sunday and Monday over the Presidents' Day holiday weekend to help those affected by the ice storm, according to disaster recovery officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management (ODCEM).

Here's an update of the recovery activities to date:

In a little over a week since FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh announced that 45 Oklahoma counties were eligible for individual assistance, FEMA has issued almost $1 million to more than 2,500 applicants in Disaster Housing grants, which include temporary rental assistance for those whose homes were not livable and funds to make essential emergency repairs. At close of business on Friday, 14,432 Oklahoma residents affected by the winter ice storm have applied for assistance.
Residents and business owners in the 45 disaster-designated counties who sustained damage or loss that occurred between January 30 and February 11 can begin the disaster application process by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. Phone lines will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven days a week until further notice, including Presidents' Day.
Almost 1,000 Oklahomans have visited one of the five joint federal/state Disaster Recovery Centers. Representatives of local, state and federal agencies, as well as volunteer organizations, are on hand to provide program and service information and answer questions.
The Disaster Recovery Centers are open 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, including Presidents' Day, and 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, at these locations:

The U.S. Small Business Administration has field representatives located in each of the Disaster Recovery Centers to meet with people face-to-face to answer questions and help applicants in completing their SBA loan applications. The SBA is the primary source of federal funds for long-term disaster recovery for owners of private property, including homeowners, renters, non-farm businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations. These low-interest loans cover costs of repair or replacement of damaged real estate, personal property and business assets not fully covered by insurance or other aid.
To date, the American Red Cross (ARC) opened 25 shelters, housed 2,273 people in shelters, served 65,365 meals, opened 1,261cases for financial assistance, and received 495 calls on the ARC hotline (1-800-283-0711). The Salvation Army opened five shelters. Communities and churches also provided shelter and meals for affected families. Several communities continue to feed those who remain without power. Southern Baptist Men have prepared 16,400 meals to support shelters and feeding operations. The group has also assisted 51 homeowners and five churches with debris removal. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) hotline has taken 137 calls for debris-removal assistance. The UMCOR hotline for help with emergency home repairs or debris removal is 1-800-539-8541.
Community relations specialists from FEMA are working with the ODCEM and county emergency management directors to reach out to people affected by the winter storms and may be going door-to-door to talk with individuals who have suffered damage or loss. They will meet with representatives of community-based agencies, community leaders and public officials. When community relations staff identify unmet needs, information will be communicated to the state or federal staff best able to respond.
If you're still without power, disaster recovery officials recommend you unplug your major appliances so that when power is restored the equipment will not be damaged from a possible power surge.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Aug-2003 16:27:03

FEMA 500 C Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20472
Disaster Assistance: (800) 621-FEMA