Alabama Disaster Aid Tops $4.5 Million as Deadline Nears 

Release Date: May 10, 2000
Release Number: 1322-03

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Atlanta, GA -- Victims of the March 10-11Alabama floods and storms that hit Jefferson and Tuscaloosa counties have one week remaining to apply for federal/state disaster aid, recovery officials said today.

As the May 16 registration deadline approaches, officials said that over $4.5 million in disaster assistance funding has been approved for 1,047 eligible residents in the two Alabama counties since President Clinton issued a federal disaster declaration for the area nearly two months ago.

Lee Helms, state coordinating officer for the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), "some people may have been away from their homes and do not realize that the application window is closing. We want to be certain everyone who is eligible has registered for that help."

Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Butler of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reminded victims that they must apply by calling the toll-free FEMA application line. That number is 1-800-462-9029 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairments.

Uninsured renters, homeowners, or business owners who live or do business in the two declared counties may be eligible for assistance including: disaster housing assistance, individual and family grants (IFG) grants to cover serious needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance, and disaster-related, low-interest, loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Recovery assistance in brief:

Applicants who have registered but have questions or updated information concerning their application can call the FEMA toll-free disaster Helpline at 1-800-525-0321 or 1-800-660-8005 for those with hearing or speech impairments. The application and Helpline offices are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 18-Nov-2003 16:43:17