Ind. Disaster Aid Tops $1M in One Week

A total of $1,168,363 in grants has been approved for disaster assistance in Indiana in just one week since the Presidential declaration on Jan. 21, according to figures released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Indiana State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Disaster recovery officials urge anyone who suffered damages or loss from the severe winter storms and flooding to apply for assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech or hearing impairment can call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both lines are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Those with Internet access have the option to apply online at http://www.fema.gov. The deadline to apply for assistance is March 22.

The following is an update of recovery activities as of close of business Friday, Jan. 28.

* 1,769 individuals from the declared counties have applied for assistance, 282 of those applied online.
* 387 claims have been approved for the Individuals and Household Program totaling $1,168,363 in grants.
* 54 people had visited the Disaster Recovery Centers in Kokomo and Bedford. Three more centers, Lafayette, Anderson and Linton, opened today.
* 818 home loan and 117 business loan applications have been issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).