More Than $70 Million In Federal Assistance To Tornado Survivors

Release Date: June 3, 2011
Release Number: 1971-077

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Five weeks into the Alabama tornado recovery, debris is being cleared from neighborhoods and more than $70 million in federal disaster assistance is helping survivors rebuild their lives.

More than $57 million has come from housing assistance grants for those displaced by the tornadoes and low-interest disaster loans that spread the cost of recovery over many years.

The following numbers, compiled June 1, provide an overview of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency/Federal Emergency Management Agency efforts to date:

Funds approved

• $47.2 million in assistance through the Individuals and Households program
  o Of that, $33.4 million for housing assistance
  o $13.8 million to cover essential disaster-related needs, such as funeral expenses and lost personal possessions
•  $24.1 million approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest disaster loans to eligible homeowners, renters or business owners

Recovery

• 42,153 damaged homes and property have been inspected (99 percent of requests)
• 23,845 visits to disaster recovery centers
• 18,694 survivors have met with FEMA risk-reduction specialists at local home improvement centers to obtain tips about low-cost ways to rebuild stronger and safer
• 108 disaster unemployment assistance claims approved
• All 67 counties are eligible for the cost-share reimbursement program for emergency protective measures and debris removal (33counties are eligible for the cost-share reimbursement program for repair and replacement of infrastructure such as roads, bridges and public utilities)
• 43 counties declared for individual assistance
• 27 disaster recovery centers currently operating

Debris

• 4 million cubic yards removed
• 2-1-1 – the number to call if you need help moving debris to the curb

Local, state and federal managers are asking that survivors separate debris into six categories and move it to the curb or public right of way. The categories are: electronics, large appliances, household hazardous waste, vegetative debris, construction debris and household garbage. For more information go online to http://go.usa.gov/jBk or call your local emergency management.

FEMA continues to work with volunteer agencies and the private sector to hasten the recovery effort. But the June 27 registration deadline is approaching. Survivors in designated counties are urged to apply for disaster assistance.

They can register using the following methods:

• By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. Assistance is available in many languages. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, the
  TTY number is 800-462-7585.
• By smartphone or tablet, use m.fema.gov.
• By computer, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Anyone with questions about correspondence from FEMA should call the FEMA helpline
(800-621-3362/TTY 800-462-7585) or visit a disaster recovery center.

Those who have already registered for assistance should stay in close touch with FEMA throughout the recovery process. It is important that applicants provide FEMA with good contact information such as a cellphone or work number.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.