Alabama Katrina Aid Hits $466 Million

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) has allocated $466 million in the two months since a federal disaster declaration was issued for eleven Alabama counties affected by Hurricane Katrina. A breakdown of $466 million in disaster relief looks like this:

$111 million in Assistance to individuals and families

* More than 34,000 individuals and families received housing assistance totaling $79 million, which includes $57 million in rental assistance.
* An additional $32 million was provided to 28,906 survivors for other essential needs.

$22 million in U.S. Small Business Administration Loans

* The U.S. Small Business Administration approved $15.4 million in loans to 402 homeowners and renters;
* $5.3 million to 96 businesses; and
* $1.3 million in loans to 24 small business owners as working capital while their businesses are recovering from Katrina.

$333 million went to the following

* Public Assistance (PA) approved $28 million for infrastructure costs, such as the replacement and restoration of power poles, distribution lines and service, emergency protective measures needed to respond to the storm, and debris removal.
* Alabama has received $1.1 million in Disaster Unemployment Assistance for individuals out of work as a result of Katrina, and who were not covered by regular unemployment assistance.
* The National Flood Insurance Program disbursed $16 million in initial flood damage claims.
* More than $287 million in mission assignments for emergency response, including medical and health services, the distribution of water, ice, meals ready-to-eat (MREs), and debris removal.
* FEMA has allocated close to $1.6 million for crisis counseling services.

Other Highlights Include:

* To date, 113,212 Alabama residents registered with FEMA for assistance by calling either the toll-free number 800-621-FEMA (3362), the TTY number for the hearing- or speech-impaired, 800-462-7585 or by going online at www.fema.gov.
* 37,470 individuals sought services at 30 State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs). DRCs remain open in Bayou La Batre, Birmingham and Mobile.
* Services for the aging were provided to 1,906 individuals.
* 256,333 Katrina survivors received food stamps issued by Alabama Department of Human Resources’ Food Assistance Program. This represents $29.3 million, received through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
* 6,946 individuals live in interim housing facilities in state parks, travel trailer parks, on commercial and private property and on other FEMA leased sites. Six people are in one remaining shelter, down from a high of 5,421 persons in 73 shelters.
* More than 2.9 million cubic yards of storm-related debris has been collected statewide out of a total estimated 3.2 million cubic yards.