Ala. Disaster Assistance Nears $439M

In the 90 days since Hurricane Ivan made landfall on the Gulf Coast, state and local governments, as well as individuals, households and businesses, have received nearly $439 million in disaster aid from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA).

Total $439 million in disaster assistance includes the following:

* $153 million approved to help individuals and households recover.
* $89 million approved for temporary housing and for minor repairs to make their primary residences safe and livable again.
* $64 million approved for other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other programs.
* $44 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Home and business owners are reminded to fill-out and return their SBA packet as soon as possible. It is the only way for disaster victims to be considered for additional disaster-related grants.
* $30 million in FEMA/State Public Assistance obligated to state and local governments.
* $37 million in disaster food stamps, including aid from emergency and replacement programs, administered by the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
* $445,000 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) distributed to individuals who are out of work as a direct result of the hurricane, and who otherwise would not be eligible for regular unemployment assistance.
* $393,693 allocated to fund “Project Rebound,” enabling a statewide hotline and outreach program for crisis counseling. For the location of crisis-counseling centers, call 866-756-7834.
* $123 million in federal mission assignments disbursed. Mission assignments are work orders that FEMA, as the lead federal recovery agency, issues to other federal agencies requesting that they complete specific tasks during response and recovery phases of the disaster.

More recovery news:

* 155,029 individuals and households have applied for disaster assistance.
* 46,536 residents have visited Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to receive information on disaster assistance and meet one-on-one with federal/state recovery specialists.
* 4 DRCs currently are open in the following county locations:
Daphne Recreational Center and Gulf Shores Community House (Baldwin); the former Fred’s Store in Atmore (Escambia); and Tillmans Corner (Mobile)
* 413 travel trailers are currently occupied and an additional 70 units have been shipped to a staging area to serve as temporary housing for residents who were displaced by the storm.
* 152 Community Relations outreach personnel have visited each of the 65 declared counties and made more than 130,000 visits to residents, local leaders, businesses, and other community-based organizations.
* 9 teams continue working in the field to help homeowners, residents and businesses understand the application process and provide one-on-one guidance to those who may be in need of assistance.
* 51 counties are eligible for public assistance funding. Public Assistance provides supplemental reimbursement for debris removal and emergency protective measures taken in response to the storm.
It also funds certain private nonprofit agencies, the repair of public infrastructure damaged by the storm, including roads and bridges, public buildings and utilities, and public facilities and parks on a cost-share basis with state and local governments.

Mitigation

FEMA and the state continue to work together to ensure that the next time disaster strikes Alabama residents will be better prepared to protect their families and property.
* 39,190 brochures about how to rebuild stronger and safer were distributed.
* 6,391 applicants have received information about mitigation techniques.
* 5,685 NFIP claims have been filed due to flooding caused by Hurricane Ivan.
* Flood insurance settlements to date totals $50 million.
* More than $1 million allocated for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
* Volunteer Mobile continues to organize the volunteer recovery efforts for hurricane victims.