Disaster Recovery Effort Tops $82 Million In Georgia
Release Date: November 6, 2009
Release Number: 1858-067
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ATLANTA, Ga. -- In just over six weeks, more than $82 million has reached survivors of the Georgia floods to help them on their way toward recovery.
“While much has been done to help thousands of people, there are still those who have not registered for help,” said Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) Director Charley English.
People and businesses in 17 disaster-affected counties can register by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585. Phone lines are open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Help is available in all languages.
“The deadline to apply for assistance is Nov. 23,” said Gracia Szczech, head of FEMA flood recovery in Georgia. “Applications for disaster loans also must be turned in by the same day.”
RECOVERY SUMMARY – BY THE NUMBERS
As of 11/5/09
1
Day following the president’s disaster declaration for Georgia, the first disaster recovery grants reached flood survivors.
3
SBA Business Recovery Centers open specifically to provide help to businesses.
6
Disaster Loan Outreach Centers are open to help people seeking low-interest loans from the SBA. The centers offer one-on-one assistance with loan paperwork to disaster survivors. Hours and locations are listed below.
17
Counties designated under the federal disaster declaration for assistance to individuals, families and businesses. They are Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker counties.
21
Counties designated for Public Assistance. The program reimburses local and state agencies and certain non-profits for expenses and damages occurring during the response and recovery phases of the disaster.
The designated counties are Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Crawford, Dawson, DeKalb, Dooly, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Houston, Newton, Paulding, Peach, Rockdale, Stephens, Taylor and Walker.
116
Cities, counties and other public organizations have applied to GEMA for Public Assistance. These applicants are seeking reimbursement for disaster-related costs including police overtime, debris clearance to open vital roads and rights-of-way, removal of threats to public safety, and permanent repairs to roads, public buildings, utilities and parks.
843
Approved disaster loans from the SBA to help individuals, families and businesses get back on their feet.
2,600
Approximate number of damaged or destroyed buildings due to the severe storms and flooding of mid-September.
8,600
In-person visits from flood survivors to FEMA personnel at Disaster Recovery Centers in disaster-designated counties.
23,000
Inspections of homes to view reported damage. The contracted inspectors confirm damage so FEMA can determine eligibility for housing assistance.
26,000
Families, individuals and businesses registered with FEMA. Those who have not applied for federal assistance have until Nov. 23 to register.
27,000
Visitors to FEMA hazard mitigation specialists at information booths at local building supply stores. The specialists provide information about rebuilding or strengthening homes to make them better able to withstand a future disaster.
150,000
Cubic yards of debris in the disaster areas — enough to fill more than 10,000 large dump trucks. Nearly 60,000 cubic yards have been removed.
$31 million
Total in loans provided by the SBA. Low-interest loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, and inventory, and to offset the cost of business disruptions.
$51 million
FEMA grants provided to families for minimal home repairs, temporary housing, personal property and other serious disaster-related needs.
$82 million
Combined total of federal disaster assistance provided so far to individuals, families and businesses for Georgia flood recovery.
SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers
Open Monday through Friday (except Veterans Day, 11/11/09)
Cherokee County
Parks and Recreation Gym
7545 Main Street
Building 200
Woodstock, GA 30188
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
DeKalb County
Browns Mill Recreation Center
5101 Browns Mill Road
Lithonia, GA 30058
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fulton County
Government Center
141 Pryor Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cobb County
The Threadmill
Suite 120
5000 Austell/Powder Springs Rd.
Austell, GA 30106
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Douglas County
Old Douglas County Courthouse
6754 Broad Street
Douglasville, GA 30134
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Gwinnett County
Mountain Park Depot
5050 Five Forks Trickum Rd.
Lilburn, GA 30047
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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.
Last Modified: Monday, 09-Nov-2009 08:58:07