Disaster Assistance For Ohio Nears $5 Million
Release Date: September 29, 2004
Release Number: 1556-010
» More Information on Ohio Severe Storms and Flooding
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In less than ten days since President Bush signed a major disaster declaration for Ohio, a total of $4,998,188 in disaster assistance grants has been approved to assist residents who suffered damages from the severe storms and flooding that began August 27, reported disaster recovery officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA).
Federal, state, local and voluntary agencies are working in partnership to help Ohio residents in the disaster recovery process. The following is an update of their activities as of close of business Monday, September 27:
- 3,914 individuals in the disaster declared counties have called to apply for assistance. Number of applicants by county: Belmont (1,058), Carroll (59), Columbiana (282), Guernsey (259), Harrison (45), Jefferson (490), Monroe (128), Morgan (32), Muskingum (38), Noble (54), Perry (128), Stark (44), Trumbull (233), Tuscarawas (78), and Washington (986)
- 1,614 applications have been approved for Disaster Housing Assistance grants, totaling $2,705,996 – for repairing disaster-damaged, uninsured homes to a safe, sanitary and functional condition and for temporary disaster rental assistance
- 367 applications have been approved for Other Needs Assistance grants, totaling $2,292,192 – for medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation and other eligible expenses
- 2,734 applications for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans have been issued - for homeowners, renters and businesses of any size
- 415 people have visited one of the Disaster Recovery Centers operating in the affected areas
Call to Apply
Residents and business owners in the designated counties who sustained damage or loss can begin the disaster application process by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing and speech impaired. Phone lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.
The Ohio EMA coordinates State assistance and resources during an emergency and prepares the state for all hazards through planning, training, exercises and funding activities at the state and local level. This includes providing assistance to individuals and administering state and federal assistance to individuals and governmental entities recovering from disaster-related damage and costs. Ohio EMA coordinates homeland security funding, weapons of mass destruction training, anti-terrorism planning and training, and assists local and state agencies determine homeland security strategies and priorities.
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: Thursday, 30-Sep-2004 11:02:45