Disaster Assistance In New Hampshire Expanded For Belknap And Coös Counties
Assistance made available to individuals and businesses in Belknap and to local governments in Coös
Release Date: May 10, 2007
Release Number: 1695-010
» More Information on New Hampshire Severe Storms and Flooding
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - Disaster assistance for Belknap County is now available to help homeowners, renters and business owners recover from the effects of the severe storms and flooding that occurred April 15 April 23, according to officials from Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM). In addition, disaster assistance for state and local governments and certain private non-profits in Coös County has been approved, making communities in all New Hampshire counties eligible for assistance to rebuild or repair facilities damaged by the April nor'easter.
Federal Coordinating Officer Albie Lewis and HSEM State Coordinating Officer Michael Poirier urge those affected by the disaster in Belknap County to apply at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The TTY number for those with speech or hearing impairment is 1-800-462-7585. Both numbers are available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. For those residents in Belknap County who have already applied to FEMA for assistance, their application is now under consideration and they do not have to call again.
"Registering with FEMA is the only way to apply for federal and state disaster assistance. So make the call, even if you already reported your damages to local officials or voluntary agencies," said Poirier. "We want to make sure that all those who had losses from the flooding receive the help they may be eligible for as they move towards recovery."
Disaster assistance for individuals in Belknap County may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other aid programs. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will also be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
"We remain committed to ensuring that every qualified individual, family and business receives the help they need and that vital community facilities are restored to full service as quickly as possible," said Lewis.
Disaster assistance for government entities was approved after a review of damage data gathered by local, state and FEMA disaster officials. Under the expanded assistance, local governments in Coös County, as well as in the nine previously designated counties, are eligible to apply for federal funds to pay 75 percent of the approved cost of debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities.
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.
New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management is responsible for coordinating the state's emergency response to major natural and manmade disasters.
Last Modified: Thursday, 10-May-2007 18:15:10