State and Federal Disaster Assistance Tops $40 Million for Recent Oklahoma Storms

OKLAHOMA CITY – To date, Oklahomans have received more than $40.7 million in grants, low-interest loans and insurance settlements from the federal government, helping to rebuild the lives of families and help out businesses affected by the severe weather and subsequent flooding during the period of May 5 through June 22.

Nearly 10,000 families have registered for assistance with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The disaster assistance, which totals more than $40.7 million, includes more than $15.5 million approved for homeowners and renters, more than $13.2 million in grants for housing, including home repairs and rental assistance, and more than $2.1 million for Other Needs, such as repair or replacement of personal property essential to the home. It also includes more than $8.6 million in payments to survivors through the National Flood Insurance Program and more than $16.7 million in SBA loans.

SBA has issued 1,342 applications for low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and businesses. More than $15.5 million has been approved for homeowners, and more than $1.2 million in loans has been approved for business owners rebuilding after the storms.

Low-interest SBA disaster loans may be available to businesses of all sizes as well as certain private nonprofit organizations. Homeowners and renters are also eligible for SBA loans for uninsured loss. These loans cannot duplicate benefits from other agencies or compensation from other organizations.

FEMA deployed 88 Disaster Survivor Assistance specialists going door to door in the affected 45 counties. To date, they have visited 18,878 homes and 889 community-based organizations delivering recovery information and guidance. These specialists have also registered 647 survivors for disaster assistance. A total of 4,206 people have visited DRCs.

Survivors may apply for state and federal assistance online with any computer, smartphone, or tablet at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. Hours to register by phone: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4222 or visit OEM at www.oem.ok.gov.