Olympia, WA -- As aid approved to help Washington residents and businesses recover from the Nisqually earthquake tops $108.68 million, state and federal officials continue to urge disaster victims to call the FEMA registration number at 1--800--462--9029 (TTY 1--800--462--7585). The deadline to register is June 30, 2001.

The following are highlights of the ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts since the Presidential disaster declaration on March 1, as of close of business June 22.

• Since the disaster declaration, $44.8 million in aid has been approved for temporary disaster housing assistance and minimal repair grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
• Inspectors have completed 32,448 damage verifications in the declared counties.
• The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $61.4 million in low--interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.
• The Individual and Family Grant program has approved $2.48 million for residents affected by the earthquake. Grants are to assist with serious disaster--related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance or other disaster programs.
• The number of applications made for disaster assistance through FEMA's toll--free registration line totaled 36,592 at the close of business, June 22.

For the designated counties the total number of applicants and assistance approved to date for temporary disaster rental assistance and minimal repair grants are:

County	Registrations	Approved Temporary Housing Assistance	SBA Approved Disaster Loans
Benton	46	$62,466	$35,200
Chelan	77	$46,116	$30,200
Clallam	107	$108,735	$59,900
Clark	170	$197,657	$97,700
Cowlitz	126	$243,676	$234,400
Grays Harbor	1626	$2,922,262	$1,234,400
Island	95	$121,962	$162,000
Jefferson	85	$111,918	$106,600
King	14601	$17,201,562	$31,052,200
Kitsap	2463	$2,968,329	$3,642,900
Kittitas	90	$79,951	$24,900
Lewis	1086	$1,637,284	$1,714,200
Mason	731	$1,004,251	$941,100
Pacific	185	$395,177	$46,300
Pierce	7348