Community Relations Teams Visit Disaster-Damaged Areas 

Release Date: June 7, 2004
Release Number: 1520-004

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Community Relations specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are working with the Indiana State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to reach out to people affected by the tornadoes and storms that began May 27, 2004. Eligible counties include Clark, Marion, Miami, Crawford and Washington.

Teams are canvassing communities in the declared areas offering individuals and small business owners information about available disaster assistance programs, including grants to help pay for temporary disaster housing needs; grants for essential repairs needed to make a residence safe, sanitary and functional; low-interest loans to repair or replace damaged property; and replacement grants for serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.

"We rely on our community relations staff not only to get the word out, but also to find out first hand the problems that communities and individuals in those communities are facing," said Justo "Tito" Hernandez, FEMA's federal coordinating officer.

Team members will meet with representatives of community-based agencies, community leaders and public officials. When community relations staff identify unmet needs, information will be communicated to the state or federal department best able to respond.

"Reaching out in this way lets people know that we're doing everything we can to help," said Hernandez. According to Luther J. Taylor, Sr., state coordinating officer for the disaster recovery operation, "We are making every attempt to inform disaster victims about the benefits available through a disaster declaration.

Team members will be reminding individuals that they should begin the disaster assistance process by calling FEMA's toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). For those with speech or hearing impairment, the special TTY number to call is 1-800-462-7585. Both numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 08-Jun-2004 11:24:53