VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- As the first 30 days in the Commonwealth of Virginia recovery concludes following Hurricane Matthew, people in seven cities and two counties are eligible for disaster assistance.
The cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach are eligible for FEMA’s Individuals and Households program. Eligible jurisdictions for the Public Assistance program are Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and the counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton.
During the first 30 days, more than 4,200 people have registered for more than $7 million in federal assistance, of that:
- More than $6.1 million for rent or repair of disaster-damaged housing
- More than $3 million was approved for rental assistance
- More than $940,000 for Other Needs Assistance
- Nearly $110,000 per day was dispersed for eligible home repair
- More than 1,400 survivors have visited Commonwealth/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers.
- More than 3,000 FEMA housing inspections have been completed.
- FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams in the field have spoken with nearly 7,500 survivors and have visited more than 115 homes per day.
- The Small Business Administration, a FEMA and Commonwealth partner, has approved nearly $6.8 million in low-interest disaster loans to more than 3,100 homeowners, renters and business owners to repair, rebuild and replace damaged property and contents.
- The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has received more than 2,220 claims and paid more than $22 million to policyholders, including advance payments to help homeowners get started quickly on repairs.
Disaster response involves the whole community, FEMA and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) joined forces with voluntary groups, community agencies, faith-based organizations, and neighbors helping neighbors rebuild and repair damages.
Voluntary organizations provide a wide range of assistance to disaster survivors, including flood debris cleanup, shelter, food, clothing, counseling, home repairs, and reconstruction. These organizations belong to the Virginia chapter of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters, a coalition of nonprofit organizations that respond to disasters.
Virginia voluntary and faith-based organizations include: Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church, Southern Baptist Conservatives, Volunteers of America, The Salvation Army, 211, Point of Light, Federation of Food Banks, Operation Blessing, Team Rubicon, Crisis Cleanup, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, American Red Cross and Baptist General Association of Virginia, as well as dozens of other organizations providing assistance to survivors who have unmet disaster-related needs.
Survivors who still need help cleaning up with other recovery needs can turn to the many voluntary, faith and community-based groups that are donating their time and skills in Virginia. These groups are always the first and last presence to help disaster survivors recover.
Disaster recovery officials are still on the ground in all seven cities and continue interacting with survivors in a variety of ways to help them with the recovery:
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs): more than 4,200 survivors have visited the six DRC that have been open. These are facilities where survivors can meet face-to-face to discuss their cases with federal, Commonwealth, local, and volunteer representatives. The first centers opened less than a week after the presidential disaster declaration. Visit FEMA.gov/DRC to find locations.
Disaster Survivor Assistance Specialists (DSAs): nearly 7,500 survivors have spoken with FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists. Specialists are FEMA staff who canvass affected neighborhoods and communities to encourage survivors to register for help, provide recovery information, and listen to their concerns.
- Mitigation Specialists: free consultations are available at DRCs and by calling the flood helpline: 868-379-9531 where survivors can get tips and techniques on building hazard-resistant homes.
If you had storm damage no matter how small, here's how to register for help or get more inofrmation:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service (VRS). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.
- Download the FEMA Mobile App and apply.
- If you are interested in making a donation, go online to http://www.vaemergency.gov/get-involved/virginia-disaster-relief-fund/. Additional information about this disaster is available at http:fema.gov/disaster/4291 and www.vaemergency.gov.