FEMA Community Relations Teams Visit Disaster Declared Areas
Release Date: June 19, 2007
Release Number: 1708-003
» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms and Flooding
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Local officials, residents and businesses affected by the early May severe storms and flooding in Missouri may be contacted soon by Community Relations representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to inform them about the federal/state disaster recovery programs. Additionally, customer service representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be canvassing the area.
These federal representatives are visiting the 17 counties declared for FEMA's disaster assistance to individuals. The counties in Missouri are Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Carroll, Chariton, Clay, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Holt, Jackson, Lafayette, Livingston, Morgan, Nodaway, Osage and Platte. Members of any federal agency will have photo ID badges.
"We want to reach everyone whose home was damaged by the storm the occurred from May 5 - 18," said Federal Coordinating Officer Lee H. Rosenberg, in charge of the FEMA disaster response for Missouri. "We want them to know what aid is available."
"People should be aware that there is no charge for FEMA services," said State Coordinating Officer Ronald M. Reynolds, appointed to lead disaster recovery operations for the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). "If anyone tries to tell you that they can help with getting disaster aid from FEMA or the state if you give them money, please contact your local law enforcement or call the FEMA fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603."
State and federal assistance programs may include temporary housing assistance or minimal repairs to homes; grants for other needs such as medical costs, household furnishings and necessary tools not covered by insurance. Assistance can include low interest disaster loans from the SBA. Disaster loans from SBA help homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations fund rebuilding and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.
Homeowners, renters and business owners are encouraged to register as soon as possible by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Residents may also register online at www.fema.gov. Whether phoning or going online, registrants should use the same name as on their Social Security card.
The June 11 declaration also made FEMA's assistance available to government entities in 19 counties, including Andrew, Atchison, Bates, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Daviess, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Howard, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Platte, Ray, Saline and Worth.
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: Thursday, 21-Jun-2007 08:34:24