FEMA: Registrations Near 50,000 In Tennessee
Thursday, May 20, 2010 | 11:55am
NASHVILLE – The recent storms and record-setting flooding in Tennessee have been met by a robust response from the state of Tennessee and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
So far, almost 900 federal employees from across the country are now working to meet the needs of disaster survivors. Nearly $113 million in disaster grants and low-interest loans have been approved since the major disaster declaration May 4, 2010, enabling Tennesseans to repair and rebuild.
"Tennessee is very pleased with the cooperation, efforts and speed of FEMA," said Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Director James Bassham.
In the 45 counties that have been designated for individual assistance, almost 50,000 people have already registered with FEMA through the 800-621-FEMA (3362) helpline or online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
"Registering for assistance is key to the recovery process," said Gracia B. Szczech, Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. "Don't count yourself out. Register now if you haven’t already."
Here’s a by-the-numbers look at the disaster recovery to date:
- $110 million in federal assistance has been approved ($98.2 million in housing assistance such as rental and home repair assistance, and $11.8 million in other needs assistance such as personal property lost due to the storm).
- 48,978 people have registered with FEMA for Individual Assistance, (15,291 on the Web; 33,687 through the Call Center.)
- $2.9 million in loans has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
- 137 Community Relations specialists are going door to door in communities across the state making sure families are registered to get the support they need.
- 28 Disaster Recovery Centers.