NEARLY $3.2 MILLION IN DISASTER AID IN THE HANDS OF OKLAHOMANS

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that nearly $3.2 million in disaster assistance is in the hands of Oklahomans affected by the severe storms, flooding and tornadoes that prompted a major disaster declaration on July 7, 2007.

Under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program, housing assistance reached $2,603,537 and a total of $624,410 was approved for Other Needs.

State Coordinating Officer Fred W. Liebe said, “This is only the beginning. We are encouraging residents to call FEMA’s teleregistration line and apply for help. It’s important to get recovery dollars into the hands of residents who have suffered from these storms.”

To date, 1,748 individuals have applied for federal and state aid by calling the toll-free application number or by visiting the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Miami and Bartlesville. The centers provide answers to questions about the disaster aid process. Additional DRCs will be opened as they are needed.

Federal funds are available to eligible applicants under the Individuals and Households Program for rental assistance, home repair, and other essential needs. Low interest loans for disaster losses are provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for eligible home and business owners.

Low-interest disaster loans from SBA are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance or other sources.