As May 8 Deadline Approaches, Fed Storm Aid Exceeds $3m To Hoosiers 

Release Date: April 20, 2012
Release Number: 4058-033

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

INDIANAPOLIS – As the May 8 deadline to apply for federal Individual Assistance quickly approaches, disaster assistance has exceeded $3 million for Indiana residents and communities affected by severe storms from Feb. 29 through March 3 in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington counties in Indiana.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that, as of April 19, $1,378,468 has been approved to fund expenses not covered by insurance or other programs. Such expenses include temporary rental assistance, repair and replacement of essential household items and disaster-related medical, dental or funeral costs. FEMA reports 1,417 registrations have been received. Homes are being inspected within 36 hours of registration, and 587 inspections have been completed.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reports $1,689,500 in low-interest disaster loans have been approved for homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profits. Thirty-three loans have been approved thus far, and more approvals are anticipated. The agency has issued 1,056 home loan applications and 184 business loan applications.

Homeowners are welcome to return SBA low-interest disaster loan applications to the Business Recovery Center in Scottsburg. The center, which will continue operating Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., until further notice, is located at:

Scott County Economic Development Corporation
821 South Lake Road South
Scottsburg, Ind. 47170

May 8 is the last day to register for FEMA Individual Assistance.

The first step for homeowners, renters and business owners to obtain federal disaster assistance is to register with FEMA. One easy way to apply is to call the toll-free telephone registration (800) 621-FEMA (3362). This number is also a help line individuals may call to ask questions and verify their registration. For speech-or hearing-impaired applicants, the TTY number is (800) 462-7585 and Video Relay Service may be accessed at (800) 621-3362. These lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Registration is also possible in the following ways:

• Online at www.fema.gov or www.DisasterAssistance.gov; and
• by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Friday, 20-Apr-2012 16:31:01