Ohio: FEMA Approves More Than $1.3 Million In Disaster Aid
Release Date: August 31, 2007
Release Number: 1720-005
» More Information on Ohio Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
FINDLAY, Ohio -- Three days after six Ohio counties were declared a federal disaster, more than $1.3 million is on its way to families and business owners, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA). More than 4,000 Ohioans have registered for assistance.
Residents and business owners of Allen, Crawford, Hancock, Putnam, Richland and Wyandot counties who were affected by the severe storms and flooding of August 20-28 are eligible to apply for federal individual assistance.
The money can be used to:
- help people find temporary housing, whose homes were either destroyed or made unlivable from flooding;
- help pay for home repairs and replacement of personal property not covered by insurance; and
- help with necessary expenses and serious needs.
Here is a summary of some disaster recovery efforts as of Thursday night:
- 4,134 Ohioans have registered for disaster assistance by contacting FEMA by phone or on line.
- $1.1 million in grants has been approved for 280 households for repairs and/or alternate temporary housing - for an average of $3,857 per household.
- $286,439 has been approved to help meet other disaster-related needs such as medical expenses, transportation costs, and personal property losses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.
- 6 Disaster Recovery Centers have been set up in some of the towns and villages hardest hit by the storms and flooding: Bluffton (Allen County), Bucyrus (Crawford County), Findlay (Hancock County), Ottawa (Putnam County), Shelby (Richland County), and Carey (Wyandot County).
- 16 community relations specialists are spread out across all six counties, meeting with local officials, community, business and religious leaders, and people affected by the disaster, answering questions, explaining FEMA programs and helping solve problems.
- 3,222 inspection requests have been issued throughout the six-county area, and after three days, 39 inspectors have completed 459 inspections of residences and businesses damaged in the flood.
"We're very proud that we've been able to get this much help to so many people in such a short time," said Federal Coordinating Officer Jesse Munoz of FEMA. "This is what we're here for; it's a good example of the quick and efficient help the new FEMA is trying to provide as people try to get their lives back in order after a disaster."
"Our county, state and federal partners have been working hard to get help to Ohioans affected by this disaster," said State Coordinating Officer Nancy Dragani, Executive Director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. "The state is very grateful that FEMA has been able to join us in those efforts."
Both Munoz and Dragani urged Ohioans in the six declared counties to register with FEMA for assistance. To register, call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for people with hearing or speech impairments. The FEMA lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further notice. It's also possible to register online at www.fema.gov. Have pen and paper ready, and phones numbers where you can be contacted, when you call.
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: Wednesday, 05-Sep-2007 12:17:32