.S. Rep. John L. Mica (FL-07) announced early Tuesday evening that the White House just declared Volusia County a disaster area following Tropical Storm Fay and approved FEMA Individual Assistance for local home owners.  The announcement comes on the heels of Mica’s letter to the President on Monday and today bringing key state and local officials together in a meeting with Federal officials, including FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison and Florida Division of Emergency Management Director W. Craig Fugate.  The briefing was on the status of the clean up and emergency operations in Central Florida.  This afternoon the Congressman convened a meeting with Volusia County officials at Florida Hospital Fish Memorial to further review current state, local and federal efforts to deal with the storm damage from Tropical Storm Fay.
The state requested the White House approval this morning.  Mica said, “I appreciate the rapid response from OMB and FEMA”.  This declaration allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make the individual homeowners affected by the storm eligible for the federal Individuals and Households Program (IHP).  IHP support includes temporary housing, home repairs and home replacement in some circumstances.  Additionally, money will be made available through U.S. Small Business Administration loans and FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance (ONA).
“Thankfully, the President and his Administration acted quickly to declare the damage in Volusia County a disaster,” Mica said.  ”The federal government will partner with local communities in rebuilding efforts, and I am hopeful the other affected areas will soon receive similar support.”
To request emergency assistance from FEMA, please register by phone at 1 (800) 621-FEMA or online at www.fema.gov.  Applicants will be asked for the following information:
    •    Name and Social Security number
    •    Address of the damaged property
    •    Current address and telephone number
    •    Insurance information
    •    Total household annual income
    •    A bank routing and account number for direct deposit
    •    A description of your losses caused by the disaster
Today, FEMA is continuing damage assessments in Seminole, St. Johns and Putnam Counties.