More Than $13 Million Approved for Disaster Assistance in Buckeye State

Since President Bush issued a disaster declaration on Sept. 19, more than $13 million in grants and low-interest disaster loans have been approved to assist flood-stricken residents in southeastern Ohio, according to figures released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA).

While many people will be enjoying time off on the Columbus Day holiday, Monday, Oct. 11, disaster recovery workers will be on duty providing information and support to those who call the teleregistration number to apply or who visit one of the four Disaster Recovery Centers.

Local, state and federal recovery officials and voluntary organizations have combined efforts to assist victims of the severe weather in putting their lives back together. This is a summary of recovery activities as of close of business Oct. 7:

* 6,508 individuals from the 20 designated counties have called to apply for assistance;
* 3,399 applications have been approved for Disaster Housing Assistance grants, totaling $7,898,768 – for repairing disaster-damaged, uninsured homes to a safe, sanitary and functional condition and for temporary disaster rental assistance;
* 1,139 applications have been approved for Other Needs Assistance grants, totaling $5,097,684 – for medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation and other eligible expenses;
* 4,381 SBA disaster loan applications have been issued (3,371 for homeowners and renters; and 849 for businesses), and has approved $80,100 in low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses;
* 1,869 people have visited the Disaster Recovery Centers operating in the affected areas.