More Than $8.5 Million in Ivan Disaster Aid Disbursed to N.C. Residents Following Storm

Officials of 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) report that, to date, $8,567,652 has been disbursed in aid to victims of Hurricane Ivan.

Since President Bush issued a disaster declaration on Sept. 18, more than $5.8 million has been issued in housing assistance and over $1.5 million granted to cover other needs such as medical and dental expenses, personal property, transportation and funeral costs. The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more that $1.1 million in low-interest loans for homeowners, business owners and renters.

The following is a summary of response and recovery activity since President Bush declared 29 counties eligible for federal disaster assistance in the aftermath of Ivan:

* Applications for individual assistance have been received from 6,217 residents.
* Disaster housing assistance checks totaling $5,841,965 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 $1,590,887.
* 14 FEMA inspectors are at work; 3,544 property inspections have been completed.
* The SBA has issued 4,013 low-interest disaster loan applications (3,088 to homeowners, renters; 925 to businesses) and has approved $1,134,800 in low-interest loans to qualified applicants.
4,101 people have visited FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) since they opened. Representatives of state, federal and voluntary agencies are on-site to provide information and answer questions and address concerns. Currently there are two DRCs open in Buncombe and Haywood counties, however, these will convert to SBA Loan Assistance Centers on Thursday, Oct. 21.