Ga. Residents Receive More than $3.4 Million in Disaster Assistance Following Ivan

Georgia residents of the 18 counties designated under the Sept. 18, 2004, disaster declaration resulting from Hurricane Ivan have received more than $3.4 million in assistance. On the last day to apply for help, Wednesday, Nov. 17, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) received 61 applications. The following disaster-assistance data are as of close of business, Nov. 17.

FEMA received 2,661 applications from residents affected by the hurricane. Housing Assistance approved for homeowners and renters totaled $2,558,844. Housing Assistance included lodging expenses, repair assistance and temporary rental assistance. Other Needs Assistance reached $909,018. Other Needs Assistance can include medical, dental, and funeral expenses; furniture, clothing and certain appliances; vehicle costs; and other eligible expenses.

FEMA inspectors have completed 1,736 inspections of damaged homes.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has issued 1,827 low-interest loan applications (1,511 to homeowners and renters, 316 to businesses), and approved $2,771,000 in low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses.

The breakdown of applications, Housing and Other Needs Assistance by county follows:

County Applications Housing Assistance Other Needs Assistance

Carroll 35 $29,163 $4,617
Cherokee 85 $64,413 $12,639
Clayton 159 $229,255 $81,247
Cobb 180 $96,912 $34,813
Dade 43 $35,902 $20,450
Dawson 29 $24,131 $1,477
DeKalb 575 $510,831 $106,553
Early 28 $21,601 $2,677
Forsyth 32 $36,257 $442
Franklin 46 $30,639 $7,118
Fulton 797 $993,909 $360,326
Gilmer 171 $196,104 $169,892
Miller 22 $13772 $2,115
Pickens 41 $34,387 $449
Rabun 163 $128,975 $83,889
Towns 75 $44,858 $3,288
Union 48 $4,319 $1,620
White 47 $9,284 $1,932
Totals as of 11/18/04 2,661 $2,558,844 $909,018

Although the application period has closed, application processing continues and residents who have questions regarding existing applications can call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA). Those with speech or hearing impairments can call TTY 1-800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, seven days a week.

Individuals also can find recovery information on the agency’s Web site at http://www.fema.gov.

Voluntary agencies continue to address needs of families who may have not qualified for or may have reached the limits of eligibility for federal and state disaster assistance. Assistance provided by voluntary agencies includes food and emergency shelter; rental assistance; pet care; replacement of personal property; assistance with funeral, burial or medical expenses; crises counseling; and minor repairs to homes.

Included among the families who have received support and assistance from the Georgia voluntary agencies have been hundreds of families who were temporarily evacuated from their homes in Florida.