FEMA Provides Public Assistance 

Release Date: March 11, 2007
Release Number: 1687-011

» More Information on Alabama Severe Storms and Tornadoes

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing public assistance grants and technical assistance to help several counties recover from the severe impacts of Alabama 's March 1 tornadoes. Public assistance helps public entities pay for damage to the public infrastructure.

"In some areas, and particularly Coffee County , the tornadoes left behind costly damage, debris and destruction to publicly owned resources," said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech. "One of FEMA's important roles is providing grants that enable such hard-hit communities to clean up debris and repair or replace roads, buildings, parks, and other public assets."

In addition to Coffee County , FEMA has designated Wilcox and Henry counties as eligible for public assistance under the federal law that determines public assistance eligibility.

In the first week after the tornadoes, the priority has been cleaning up the downed trees, rubble and other debris the destructive storms left behind. That responsibility rests with local governments with support from state and federal experts. Officials from the especially hard hit city of Enterprise have been in daily contact with the FEMA and state debris removal experts.

Local officials often choose to contract debris removal to a private company. FEMA and state specialists are meeting with officials from each of the affected counties to provide technical assistance on contracting and eligibility questions.

"We provide technical assistance advising local officials on contracting procedures," said FEMA Public Assistance Group Supervisor Patricia Seaman. "However, FEMA does not become involved in selecting the specific contractor or awarding the contract."

In addition to debris cleanup, the eligible counties will be using FEMA public assistance grants to help pay for emergency protective measures, repair of roads and bridges, water control, replacement or repair of public buildings and equipment, public utilities, and restoration of public parks and recreation facilities.

With debris cleanup underway, FEMA and state teams will now be working closely with local officials to assess other damages, such as to schools and other buildings.

"FEMA is working diligently to determine eligibility, assess damages and make grants for public assistance so that communities can restore, replace and rebuild public resources as soon as humanly possible," Szczech said.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal rights. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.

FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Last Modified: Monday, 12-Mar-2007 08:14:00