County approved for federal assistance
Survivors of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding beginning on April 15, 2011, in Alabama should apply now for federal assistance.
The Presidential declaration April 28 made funding available to affected individuals in Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Marengo, Marshall, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties.
“I thank the President for his approval of our much-needed request. This federal declaration will allow Alabamians in the hardest hit counties to immediately begin the recovery process,” Bentley said.
“The financial impact to these counties has been great due to the severe weather. I am thankful that federal assistance is on the way.”
Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner said, “We appreciate the prompt action of our federal partners at FEMA. The losses have been devastating to so many and this will be one step in Alabama’s recovery. We will be working to assess damages in other counties in an effort to quickly get additional assistance for individuals that have lost so much.”
Assistance is available in the form of grants for temporary housing, basic home repairs, other serious disaster-related needs, and low-interest disaster loans.
Renters, homeowners and business owners may apply for help through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Federal funding is also available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding in all 67 counties of Alabama.
Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
To receive assistance, you must register first. The process takes 15 to 30 minutes.
You can apply for federal assistance directly through web-enabled mobile phone devices or smartphones. Registration through the mobile site takes three steps:
Go to m.fema.gov and click “Apply Online for FEMA Assistance.” You will be directed to www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Click on Start Registration and fill out the registration form.
You can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-FEMA (3362). Operators speak many languages. Those with hearing or speech impairment can use TTY 800-462-7585.
FEMA will ask you for the following information: The telephone number where you can be reached; The address where you lived at the time of the disaster and the address where you are staying; your Social Security number; a general description of damage to your property and other losses; the name of your insurance company and your policy number or agent if you have property insurance; and your bank account routing information if you want FEMA to use direct deposit.
The toll-free FEMA registration numbers are available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time.
Individual assistance helps eligible applicants with temporary housing assistance, uninsured personal property losses and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other disaster-related expenses and serious needs.
