Five Additional Counties Designated For Individual Assistance 

Release Date: September 30, 2004
Release Number: 1556-013

» More Information on Ohio Severe Storms and Flooding

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Disaster assistance for Athens, Gallia, Mahoning, Meigs and Vinton counties has been made available to help homeowners, renters and business owners recover from the effects of the recent severe storms and flooding in Ohio, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.

Michael D. Brown, FEMA Director and Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Department of Homeland Security said the assistance was approved based on a review of damage data gathered by federal and state disaster recovery officials. The five counties were added to the 15 counties already eligible for Individual Assistance under the major disaster declaration issued by President Bush on September 19.

“We are committed to delivering assistance wherever it’s needed and to making sure that every qualified individual and family receives the help they need to get on the road to recovery,” Lee Champagne, FEMA federal coordinating officer, said.

Affected residents and business owners in the newly declared counties may apply for assistance immediately by calling the toll-free application number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), 24-hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. Those who are speech or hearing impaired may call TTY 1-800-462-7585. The previously designated counties are Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Stark, Trumbull, Tuscarawas and Washington.

Champagne said calling these numbers is the only way to apply for a wide range of state and federal disaster assistance programs that can include funding for temporary disaster housing assistance, U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans for individuals and business owners to repair or replace real or personal property and housing repair; replacement grants to help meet serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs; and disaster unemployment assistance.

Callers are advised to have the following information available to help speed up the application process:

Government disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate you for your entire loss. If you have insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy. Residents should contact their insurance agent first, then if they have unmet needs they should call FEMA to apply. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other forms of help may come in the form of loans. The FEMA representative will explain the details to you when you call.

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 strategy 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.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INFORMATION
When disaster strikes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers a number of disaster assistance programs and coordinates the efforts of many other federal agencies that provide services to help people through the recovery process.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs
INDIVIDUALS and HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM: Housing assistance to individuals and families whose permanent homes were damaged or destroyed by the flooding or severe storms. Types of aid include grants for temporary rental housing; essential repairs needed to make a residence safe, secure and sanitary; and, to meet serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other programs, such as medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation and other FEMA-approved expenses.
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE: Weekly benefits to individuals out of work due to the disaster, including self-employed persons, farm owners and others not usually covered under regular unemployment insurance.

U.S. Small Business Administration Programs
HOME/PERSONAL PROPERTY DISASTER LOANS: Disaster loans to homeowners and renters for restoring or replacing underinsured or uninsured disaster-damaged real and personal property. (Available in declared counties.)
BUSINESS DISASTER LOANS: Disaster loans to repair or replace destroyed or damaged business facilities, inventory, machinery, equipment, etc. not covered by insurance. (Available to large and small businesses in declared counties.) Loans also may be available to small businesses for working capital to assist them during the disaster recovery period. (Available in declared and contiguous counties.)

Last Modified: Thursday, 30-Sep-2004 13:48:12