Two Weeks Left To Register For Disaster Aid
Release Date: January 23, 2008
Release Number: 1734-053
» More Information on Washington Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
LACEY, Wash. -- Only two weeks remain for Washington residents affected by the severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides between December 1 to 17 to register for federal/state disaster assistance.
Officials with the Washington Emergency Management Division (EMD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have announced that Feb. 7, 2008, is the last day that calls or on-line applications will be accepted for Individual Assistance. The deadline is 60 days from the date when President Bush issued the major disaster declaration on Dec. 8.
Loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for disaster-related losses to real and personal property also must be returned by that date. Loan packages can either be mailed to the Loan Processing Center or hand-delivered to a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) or Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) by Feb. 7th.
"We want people to understand that this deadline is for new disaster applications," said Willie Nunn, Federal Coordinating Officer. "For those who already have applied, their cases will continue to be processed."
Residents in the 10 counties eligible for Individual Assistance who suffered damage from the storms are urged to call the toll-free registration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) as soon as possible. The TTY number for residents with special speech or hearing needs is TTY 1-800-462-7585. Hours of operation for registering with FEMA are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Residents can also register online at
www.fema.gov
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"Since the Dec. 8 disaster declaration, more than 9,600 people in the 10 designated counties have registered for assistance," said State Coordinating Officer Kurt Hardin. "There's still time for everyone who had damage to register. But don't put it off any longer."
Counties eligible for Individual Assistance are Clallam, Grays Harbor, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Snohomish, Thurston and Wahkiakum.
Disaster Recovery Efforts to Date
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More than $31 million in grant assistance and low-interest loans has already been approved by FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
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9,622 individuals and households from the 10 designated counties have applied for assistance.
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Nearly $15 million ($14,975,209) in Housing Assistance has been approved for 3,124 applicants for rental assistance, temporary lodging and housing repairs.
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More than $1.8 million ($1,858,347) in Other Needs Assistance (ONA) has been approved for 761 applicants to cover personal property loss, medical costs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.
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4,852 visits have been made to the DRCs in the designated counties to meet with recovery experts. DRCs are open Mon.-Sat. 10-6:30 at the following locations:
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Aberdeen Community Center (lower level), 117 E. 3rd Street, Aberdeen 98520
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Yard Birds Mall (2nd floor), 2100 N. National Ave., Chehalis 98532
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6,282 home inspections have been completed.
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The SBA has approved more than $14 million ($14,322,600) in low-interest disaster loans to Washington residents and businesses. The SBA provides low-interest loans to eligible homeowners, renters, private non-profit organizations and businesses of all sizes. DLOCs are located at:
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Mason County Fire District #2, 460 NE Old Belfair Hwy, Belfair 98528 (open Mon.-Fri. 9-6 and Sat. 9-1)
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Bank of the Pacific, 1007 S. Pacific Hwy, Long Beach 98631 (open Mon.-Wed. 9-5)
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Bank of the Pacific, 560 Commercial St., Raymond 98577 (open Thurs.-Fri. 9-5)
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
