Ohio Disaster Assistance Summary 

Release Date: October 10, 2000
Release Number: 1343-09

» More Information on Ohio Tornado And Severe Storms

Xenia, OH -- Federal and state agencies are working in partnership to help Ohio residents following the recent severe storms and tornado. The following is a summary of ongoing response and recovery efforts since the Presidential declaration on September 26th.

Almost Half A Million Dollars Approved For Disaster Grants And Low-Interest Loans

Nearly a half million dollars in disaster housing grants and low-interest loans have already been approved for some of the more than 700 Greene County residents who have called to apply for federal and state disaster assistance. President Clinton declared the county a major disaster area on September 26. So far 726 residents have called to apply for various types of state and federal assistance.

Disaster Housing grants totaling $19,823 for 26 victims had been approved. These grants are available to people whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the September 20 storms and tornado to cover temporary rental assistance, emergency repairs needed to make a residence habitable or reimbursement for repairs already completed and mortgage or rental assistance in cases where the disaster has caused extreme economic hardship.

An additional $408,600 has also been approved in eight low-interest home loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Almost $45,000 has been approved for just 10 applicants through the Individual and Family Grants (IFG) Program, which provides a safety net for people who have exhausted all other means of assistance and still have unmet disaster-related needs. The grants are a last resort and in most cases are available only if an applicant has been denied an SBA disaster loan. The IFG program is administered by the state, with FEMA providing 75 percent of the funding and the state providing the remaining 25 percent.

Once approved, all applications involving grants are forwarded to the U.S. Treasury where checks are issued for disbursement.

"Safe Room" Display And Materials Available At Recovery Center

In an effort to promote safe rebuilding in tornado-prone areas, FEMA hazard mitigation specialists have a "safe room" display, complete with literature on wind-resistant building techniques, available at the Disaster Recovery Center, 61 Greene Street in Xenia. The temporary recovery center, located on the second floor of the Juvenile Court Building, will remain open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice.

A similar "safe room" structure and materials to assist local homeowners and builders in their recovery efforts is also on display in the lobby of the Greene County Department of Public Works at 667 Dayton-Xenia Road.

Ohio EMA's State Coordinating Officer Dale Shipley explained that those who have applied for assistance may visit the center with any questions regarding disaster-related programs and services available to Greene County. Those programs include disaster housing grants, low-interest loans for repair, replacement or rebuilding of disaster-damaged property, grants for serious immediate needs resulting from the disaster that cannot be met by other sources and/or technical assistance on common-sense measures to reduce future disaster risks.

Representatives of other state and federal agencies -the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Ohio Departments of Aging, Insurance, Job and Family Services and others - are on hand at the Disaster Recovery Center to answer questions about their agency and its role in disaster assistance.

Assistance Application Deadline Extended To November 27

Disaster recovery officials announced that the deadline for making application for disaster assistance has been extended due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Anyone who lives or works in Greene County and suffered disaster-related losses from the storms and tornado that hit the area on September 20 now has until Monday, November 27 to call and apply for disaster assistance.

The only way to apply for the various disaster assistance programs and services is to call FEMA's toll-free number, 800-462-9029 or TTY 800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired. Phone lines are open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice, and multi-lingual operators are available to take your calls.

"We encourage anyone who had losses to call to apply now," Federal Coordinating Officer Lou Botta said. "We hope that people won't prejudge themselves or feel that they are taking anything away from their neighbors."

Disaster assistance funds, which are non-taxable, are specifically intended to cover uninsured or under-insured losses. Residents do not have to wait until a possible insurance claim has been settled to call and apply. Assistance can continue beyond the application deadline, but you must call and apply by November 27 to be considered for state and federal programs and services.

Homeowners And Renters, As Well As Business Owners May Be Eligible For Sba Disaster Loans

Some individuals and families may be confused when they apply for disaster assistance and receive a loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The first thought that runs through their minds is "I'm not a business." But don't let the SBA name fool you. In a disaster, SBA low-interest loans are the primary source of financial assistance through low-interest loans for homeowners and renters, as well as business owners.

SBA has issued more than 500 loan packages to tornado victims, but only 29 have been completed and returned. If you receive an SBA loan application you should complete and return the package as soon as possible. SBA officials point out that if the packet is not returned, it may delay other forms of disaster assistance, such as the IFG program.

Renters may be eligible for up to $40,000 for personal property losses, while homeowners may receive $200,000 for repairs or rebuilding their home and $40,000 for personal property. Low-interest disaster loans are currently below four percent.

Business owners are only eligible for loans up to $1.5 million. These are designed to repair or replace destroyed or damaged business facilities, inventory, machinery, equipment, etc., not covered by insurance. The loans are available to large and small businesses, including those that have self-employed business. Loans also may be available only to small businesses for working capital to assist them during the recovery period.

Last Modified: Thursday, 13-Nov-2003 10:09:38