United States of America: More Than $45 Million In Aid To Alabama
State and federal assistance continues to fuel the Alabama recovery more than three weeks after deadly tornadoes struck the state. More than 72,000 individuals and households have registered for help with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and more than $45.3 million has already been approved in federal aid to help them.
Aggressively identifying available rental housing in all affected communities is a priority. A state-led disaster housing task force has established three working groups focusing on immediate housing, temporary housing and permanent housing.
The task force is also identifying existing commercial sites for manufactured homes, coordinating site inspections, moving units on site and assigning families to these homes.
Operation Clean Sweep, a federally funded initiative, has been launched to deal with the millions of cubic yards of debris left behind by the tornadoes.
The following numbers, compiled May 19, provide a snapshot of the Alabama/FEMA disaster recovery to date:
Funds approved
$40.7 million in assistance through the Individuals and Households program.
o Of that, $29.2 million for housing assistance;
o $11.5 million to cover essential disaster-related needs, such as funeral expenses and lost personal possessions.
$4.6 million approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest disaster loans to eligible homeowners, renters or business owners.
Recovery
37,202 damaged homes and property inspected (96 percent of requests)
17,724 visits to disaster recovery centers.
All 67 counties are eligible for the cost-share reimbursement program for emergency protective measures and debris removal (31 counties are eligible for the cost-share reimbursement program for repair and replacement of infrastructure such as roads, bridges and public utilities).
42 counties declared for individual assistance.
30 disaster recovery centers operating (Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.)
Debris removal
2-1-1 – the number to call for help removing debris from private property. Nonprofit and voluntary organizations are in Alabama to help with the cleanup effort.
Local, state and federal managers are asking that survivors separate debris into six categories and move it to the curb or public right of way. The categories are: electronics, large appliances, hazardous waste, vegetative debris, construction debris and household garbage. For more information go online to http://go.usa.gov/jBk.
The recovery team, including volunteer agencies and the private sector, is working together to speed assistance. But those affected by the tornadoes need to register with FEMA for disaster aid.
No matter the degree of loss or insurance, survivors are urged to apply for help. They can use the following methods:
By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. Assistance is available in many languages. For the deaf or hard of hearing, the number is TTY 800-462-7585.
By smartphone or tablet, use m.fema.gov.
By computer, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Anyone with questions about correspondence from FEMA should call the FEMA helpline (800-621-3362/TTY 800-462-7585) or visit a disaster recovery center.
Those who have already registered for assistance should stay in close touch with FEMA throughout the recovery process. It is important that applicants provide FEMA with good contact information such as a cellphone or work number.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
Source:Federal Emergency Management Agency
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