Ala. Disaster Assistance From Ivan Tops $554 Million

In four months since Hurricane Ivan made landfall on the Gulf Coast, state and local governments, as well as individuals, households and businesses, have received more than one-half billion 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 $554 million in disaster assistance includes the following:

* $169 million approved to help individuals and households recover.
* $99.5 million approved for temporary housing and for minor repairs to make their primary residences safe and livable again.
* $69.5 million approved for other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other programs.
* $73.4 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.
* $41.4 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 in the first weeks of the disaster; administered by the Alabama Department of Human Resources through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
* $639,000 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; administered by the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations.
* $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.
* $171 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.

* 161,402 individuals have applied for disaster assistance.
* 49,843 residents have visited Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to receive information on disaster assistance and meet one-on-one with federal/state recovery specialists.
* 3 DRCs currently are open in the following county locations:
Gulf Shores Community House (Baldwin); the former Fred’s Store in Atmore (Escambia); and Tillmans Corner (Mobile). Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., except for Gulf Shores, which opens at 9 a.m.
* 465 travel trailers are currently occupied and an additional 79 units have been shipped to a staging area to serve as temporary housing for residents who were displaced by the storm. Ten specially equipped trailers use all electrical power as a safety measure for occupants who require use of oxygen.
* 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.
* Three teams continue working in nine counties 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 non-profit 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.

* 5,792 NFIP claims have been filed due to flooding caused by Hurricane Ivan.
* Flood insurance settlements approved to date: $59.1 million.
* More than $3 million allocated for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

Residents affected by Hurricane Ivan are urged to register for assistance by calling FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362). Persons who are speech- or hearing-impaired can call TTY 800-462-7585. Hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.

The FEMA Helpline can also be reached by calling the above toll-free number. Residents may also register for assistance online by visiting www.fema.gov.

The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is March 3, 2005.