Six More Georgia Counties Eligible for Individual Disaster Assistance
Three Now Eligible for Infrastructure Reimbursement
Release Date: March 22, 2008
Release Number: 1750-003
» More Information on Georgia Severe Storms and Tornadoes
ATLANTA, Ga. -- Six additional counties in Georgia are now eligible for federal disaster assistance to help individuals cope with damage from the severe storms and tornadoes that lashed the state from March 14-16. Three of those counties are now eligible for infrastructure reimbursement, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials announced today.
Counties added to the initial major declaration for Individual Assistance declared by President Bush on March 17 include Bartow, Burke, DeKalb, Floyd, Jefferson and Polk. The designation brings the number of Georgia counties declared eligible for FEMA's individual assistance program aid to seven. Fulton County was designated in the initial declaration.
In addition, Burke, Fulton and Jefferson counties have been declared eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance program. This program reimburses local and state agencies and certain nonprofit agencies for the expenses and damages that occurred during the response and recovery phase of the disaster.
Public assistance grants are awarded to help pay for emergency protective measures such as police overtime, debris clearance to open vital roads and rights-of-way, removal of threats to public safety and permanent repairs to roads, public buildings, utilities and parks, and recreation. Permanent work involves restoring infrastructure to its pre-disaster design. This could range from minor repairs to total replacement.
FEMA officials said the assistance was approved based on a review of damage data gathered by federal and state disaster recovery officials.
Affected residents and business owners in the added counties may apply for assistance immediately by calling the registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Those with a speech-and hearing impairment may call a special TTY number at 1-800-462-7585. Online registration is available at www.fema.gov.
Applicants are advised to have the following information available to help speed up the application process:
- Their current phone number.
- Their address at the time of the disaster and the address where they are now staying.
- Their Social Security number, if available.
- A general list of damages and losses they suffered.
- If insured, their insurance policy number, or the agent's and company name.
Individual assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Monday, 24-Mar-2008 08:56:34