FEMA Can Assist In Your Language
Release Date: February 9, 2009
Release Number: 1817-015
» More Information on Washington Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- If you or your business were affected by January's severe storms, flooding or mudslides, assistance is available to help you recover. In order to qualify for assistance the first step is to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY 1-800-877-8339) or by going online to www.disasterassistance.com.
If you don't speak English, you can still get disaster assistance. FEMA can take your application in 173 foreign languages. When you call to register, there are three choices: English, Spanish or Other Callers - Option #3. Option #3 (or no menu selection) is for those who do not speak English or Spanish or who have a rotary dial phone.
Available disaster assistance may include:
- Grants from FEMA for rental payments for temporary housing, home repairs and replacement of essential household items
- Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Low-interest business loans are also provided by SBA for uncompensated physical and economic losses suffered by businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations.
- Grants from FEMA and the state of Washington to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs.
- Loans from the Farm Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence.
Federal disaster aid is available to residents of the state of Washington affected by the severe winter storm, landslides, mudslides, and flooding in January as a result of the presidential disaster declaration. The following counties are eligible to receive disaster assistance: Benton, Cowlitz, Clallam, Grays Harbor, King, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum and Whatcom.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
Last Modified: Monday, 09-Feb-2009 11:53:09