More Than $20.5 Million Disbursed To Victims Of Tropical Storm Frances

Release Date: November 11, 2004 Release Number: 1546-024

» More Information on North Carolina Tropical Storm Frances

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- North Carolina residents have received $20,593,254 in assistance since President Bush issued a disaster declaration Sept. 10 following Tropical Storm Frances.

According to the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Management (CCPS-DEM), the money represents more than $9.2 million in housing assistance, over $7.1 million in assistance for other needs such as medical and dental expenses, personal property, transportation and funeral costs and $4.1 million in low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses.

The following is a summary of the response and recovery activity since President Bush declared 35 counties eligible for federal disaster assistance:

• Applications for individual assistance have been received from 12,394 residents.
• Disaster housing assistance checks totaling $9,248,986 have been disbursed to residents to assist with temporary housing and home repairs.
• Other Needs Assistance, which provides money for necessary expenses and serious needs not covered by insurance such as medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, and moving and storage, totals $7,181,568.
• 29 FEMA inspectors are at work and have completed 8,447 property inspections.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued 5,278 low-interest disaster loan applications (4,081 to homeowners, renters; 1,197 to businesses). They have approved $1,993,400 in low-interest loans to homeowners and renters and $2,169,300 to businesses totaling $4,162,700.
• 4,294 people visited FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers while in operation.
  

Homeowners, renters and business owners in disaster-declared counties have until Friday, December 17, 2004 to apply for assistance by calling the toll-free registration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. These toll-free telephone numbers are available 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week until further notice. If possible, try calling in the evening after 6 p.m. or on weekends when call volume often is lighter. Loan applications to the SBA for disaster-related losses must also be submitted by December 17. Individuals can now go online to register for assistance and to find additional recovery information at http://www.fema.gov.

Individual Assistance Applications by County
As of close of business Nov. 10, 2004

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.