Tallahassee, FL, June 29, 2001 -- Federal, state, local and voluntary agencies have been working in partnership to help north Florida residents following the recent flooding that followed in the wake of Tropical Storm Allison. The following is a summary of ongoing response and recovery efforts as of June 29.

Background:

• On June 17, President Bush signed a major disaster declaration for Florida due to flooding that occurred June 11-15. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) established a Disaster Field Office in Tallahassee to coordinate state and federal recovery efforts.
  
  
• Counties designated by FEMA as eligible for disaster assistance to individual persons or families and to business owners are:
  
  Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla.



• Counties designated eligible for up to 75% federal reimbursement to communities for eligible costs associated with debris removal, emergency protective measures and the repair, restoration and replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities are:
  
  Bay, Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla, Washington

Disaster assistance summary:

• As of Friday, June 29, 631 north Floridians suffering storm damage in the five individual assistance counties had applied for disaster assistance through FEMA's toll-free registration line.
  
  
• The registration number is 1-800-462-9029. Persons with hearing or speech impairments can, using special electronic devices (TTY), call 1-800-462-7585. The registration lines are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Eastern) daily.
  
  
• Disaster Housing checks totaling more than $330,300 have been approved to assist disaster victims in making minimal home repairs and or to pay for temporary housing until repairs can be made. An effort is made to issue disaster housing checks within seven to ten days after the application is received by FEMA.
  
  
• Grants to individuals and families totaled $273,839. They are a safety net to help people who have exhausted all other means of assistance cover the costs of disaster-related needs such essential home repairs, replacement of personal property or transportation not covered by insurance or other programs.
  
  
• The first U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)loan checks were presented on June 22. These checks were the first of the low-interest disaster checks that SBA made to homeowners, renters and businesses who suffered losses due to the storms and flooding. So far, the SBA has approved $60,100 in loans to homeowners and renters. To speed the recovery assistance process, loan applications should be completed and returned to the SBA as soon as possible.
  
  
• Representatives of SBA will continue to be at the SBA workshop to assist disaster victims with disaster loan applications. The SBA disaster loan workshop is located at Fire Station #3 at 3005 South Monroe St., Tallahassee, and will operate Mondays through Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. until further notice. The workshop will be closed July 4.