Disaster Aid To Floridians Exceeds $2.5 Billion

Release Date: November 10, 2004 Release Number: 1539-268

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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Since President George W. Bush declared Floridians eligible for disaster aid beginning with Hurricane Charley on August 13th and continuing through to Hurricane Jeanne on September 26th, assistance totaling more than $2.5 billion has been approved for a variety of programs. To date, more than 1.1 million storm victims have applied for federal and state assistance.

A breakdown of the amounts and types of assistance to date are:

• More than $868,218,000 in federal and state disaster assistance for Florida residents in all 67 counties. Of that amount, $414,675,000 is in the form of grants to pay for lodging expenses, rental assistance and minimal home repairs. The balance of $453,543,000 is to cover other needs, which may include such items as repair or replacement of personal property, funeral expenses, and medical and dental costs related to the storm.
• A total of $1,067,000,000 in emergency response and protective measures. These measures include such items as providing food, water and ice, temporary roofs and other emergency services.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $453,700,000 in low-interest loans to repair storm-damaged homes and businesses. Businesses may also be eligible for economic injury loans, which are loans to assist businesses in getting back on their feet following a storm.
• Public Assistance (infrastructure) funds have begun to flow to local governments and certain private, non-profit entities. Currently, $112,000,000 has been approved for project requests found eligible for grant assistance. To date, more than 1,920 requests for aid have been filed.
• FEMA housing inspectors have visited more than 698,000 properties to verify damage losses.
• There are now more than 4,350 manufactured housing units – mobile homes and travel trailers – occupied by storm victims.
• National Flood Insurance Program claims now number 24,214.
• More than 322,000 applicants have been to one of 73 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) that first began operations on August 16 to provide follow-up services and information to applicants for disaster assistance. Presently, 42 DRCs continue to assist applicants throughout the state.

Officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) urge all homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage from one or more of the four hurricanes to apply for help as soon as possible.

The number to call to register for assistance is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The hearing- and speech-impaired should call TTY 1-800-462-7585. The registration line is now open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to midnight, Eastern Standard Time. Applicants may also register online by going to the FEMA website at http://www.fema.gov and clicking on the red “hot-link” button in the upper right-hand portion of the page marked “Register for Disaster Assistance Online.”

Attached is a county-by-county breakdown of disaster assistance provided to Floridians.

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.