More Than $13.8 Million in Ivan Disaster Aid Disbursed to N.C. Residents

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, $13,848,529 has been disbursed in aid to victims of Hurricane Ivan.

Since President Bush issued a disaster declaration on Sept. 18, more than $7.5 million has been issued in housing assistance and over $2.2 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 $4.1 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 6,693 residents.
* Disaster housing assistance checks totaling $7,533,535 have been disbursed to residents for rental assistance 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 $2,190,594.
* 4,231 property inspections (95%) have been completed.
* The SBA has issued 4,680 low-interest disaster loan applications (3,629 to homeowners, renters; 1,051 to businesses) and has approved $4,124,400 in low-interest loans to qualified applicants.
* 4,294 people visited FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) while in operation. All centers are now closed.