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FEMA Administrator David Paulison said the assistance was authorized
under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by President
Bush. The president's action makes federal funding available to
affected individuals in Stephenson and Winnebago counties. The
assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, can include grants to help
pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious
disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small
Business Administration also will be available to cover residential
and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Federal funding also is available on a cost-sharing basis for
hazard mitigation measures for all counties and tribes within the
state.
Paulison named Tony Russell as the federal coordinating officer
for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Russell said
that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties
and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the
assessments are complete.
The agency said that residents and business owners who sustained
losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance
Friday by registering online at
http://www.fema.gov/, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or
1-800-462-7585 TTY for the hearing- and speech-impaired. The
toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local
time Monday through Sunday.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for,
preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to and recovering
from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including
acts of terror.
[Text from file received from
the Federal Emergency Management
Agency] |
