FEMA Brings Aid to SE Michigan
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 16, 2014)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that more than $51.8 million in federal disaster grants and loans has been approved for Michigan survivors of the Aug. 11-13 storms and flooding.
According to a FEMA press release, as of close of business Oct. 9:
58,845 Michigan residents in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne registered for federal disaster assistance;
More than $35.9 million has been approved for housing assistance, including rental assistance and home repair costs;
More than $11.1 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses, lost personal possessions and child care;
More than $4.8 million in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration;
More than 100 disaster survivor assistance specialists are strategically positioned throughout the affected communities to explain the types of disaster assistance available;
1,159 residents have visited four disaster recovery centers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties;
430 housing inspectors in the field have completed more than 41,005 inspections of damaged properties; and
209 people have received rebuilding advice from mitigation specialists located at four home improvement big-box stores in the affected communities.
Residents can register at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via a smart phone or Web-enabled device at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362. TTY users may call 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT seven days a week until further notice.
Officials are on hand in Ferndale at the Kulick Center to serve Ferndale and surrounding communities. For more information see https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/10/07/fema-opens-disastery-recover-center-at-ferndales-kulick-community-center/.
Residents are also cautioned to be aware of potential FEMA scams. Read more at https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/10/12/oak-park-chief-warns-of-fema-scams/.