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July 18, 2003 Six counties added to flooding disaster declarationUnited Methodist Disaster Relief Workshop set for Monday in KokomoVolunteers needed for clean upINDIANAPOLIS -- Disaster assistance has been made available in six additional Indiana counties to help residents recover from the effects of the severe storms, tornadoes, and floods that began on July 4, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced Thursday, July 17. Affected residents and business owners in Clay, Fulton, Morgan, Newton, Parke and Vigo counties may apply for assistance immediately by calling the toll-free application number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. until further notice. Those who are speech or hearing impaired may call TTY 1-800-462-7585. The new counties join 34 declared eligible for individual assistance on July 11 by President Bush. The number was expanded based on continuing damage assessments by federal and state disaster officials. "We recognized the need of including folks from these counties who have suffered damages, even after the Governor requested, and received, a disaster declaration from the President," Patrick R. Ralston, state coordinating officer, Indiana State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said. According to Thomas J. Costello, FEMA's federal coordinating officer, calling FEMA's toll-free teleregistration number is the only way to apply for a wide range of disaster assistance programs that can include funding for temporary disaster housing assistance, U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and business owners to repair or replace real or personal property; replacement grants to help meet serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs; and disaster unemployment assistance. Callers are advised to have the following information available to help speed up the application process:
More than $2 million in assistance approved for Indiana residentsIn less than one week since the application process began for disaster assistance in the 34 disaster declared counties of Indiana, more than $1.8 million in disaster assistance grants and $162,800 in low-interest disaster loans have been approved to assist those affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began July 4, state and federal officials announced yesterday. "We're committed to providing disaster assistance as quickly as possible and this assistance is an important first step in the recovery process," Thomas J. Costello, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) federal coordinating officer, said. "We will continue to work with our state, local and volunteer partners to help meet the needs of those who were affected by the July severe weather." Already, nearly $1.5 million in Housing Assistance grants and $394,752 in Other Needs Assistance grants have been approved since the application process began on July 11. A total of 1,892 individuals and small business owners from the disaster-designated counties have applied for disaster assistance programs as of Wednesday, July 16. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has already presented checks, representing loans approved for $162,800, to the first families approved for low-interest disaster loans. The SBA has issued 1,067 loan applications to homeowners and renters and 173 to business owners. Three Disaster Recovery CentersThree Disaster Recovery Centers opened on Thursday, July 17, to serve Indiana victims of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began July 4, announced officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Indiana State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). After calling the toll-free application number, 1-800-621-FEMA (TTY 1-800-462-7585), disaster victims may visit the short-term centers to meet face-to-face with recovery specialists. Representatives of local, state and federal agencies will be on hand to provide information on disaster assistance programs. Also, people who are rebuilding or making repairs can learn about ways to reduce future disaster damages.
United Methodist Disaster Relief Workshop set for Monday in KokomoNorth Indiana Conference Disaster Relief Coordinator Paul Wohlford recently announced that Don Weaver from United Methodist Committee On Relief will join Hoosier United Methodists next week. He is scheduled to hold a short seminar on disaster aftermath at the Grace United Methodist Church, 219 W. Mulberry (Mulberry and Washington Streets), in Kokomo on MONDAY, July 21 at 10 a.m. Joining Weaver will be national officials from FEMA and the Red Cross. Wohlford said: "Together they will help us to understand the proper channels that one must go through when dealing with a disaster." He encourages each church to bring several members from your congregation to attend this meeting so that if a flood, tornado or other disaster hits where you live you will know the proper steps to to take on the road to recovery. Volunteer clean up crews needed nowWohlford said: "We need clean up crews now! If you or a group in your church can help, call me at 765-644-6221 [home number] and if I am not home, leave a message and I will get back to you." He also announced that the first federal checks from FEMA arrived in Kokomo on Wednesday, July 16. Recovery work will begin in about a week, "this is where we really need the money." Those interested in helping clean up, contact the following people:
To contact Wohlford by e-mail write to: disaster coordinator paul@wohlford.net. Volunteers needed for flood clean-up at BlufftonBluffton Mayor Ted Ellis recently declared Saturday, July 26, as "Blitz Clean-Up Day" and is asking for volunteers. In support of that request, United Methodists from the surrounding areas are asked to join together in this one-day effort. Individuals or groups need to pre-register by calling the Mayor Ellis' office at 260-824-1520 before 4 p.m. Friday, July 25. On Saturday, July 26, volunteers need to report to the Fire Department, located at 200 East Market Street. Parking is available at First United Methodist Church, 319 W. Washington St., next to the parsonage and at a city lot across from the City Building. Volunteers need to bring their own cleaning supplies, such as buckets, disinfectant, scrub brushes, sponges, cleaning towels, etc. Each person needs to wear protective rubber glovers while cleaning. Lunch will be provided. The Red Cross also asks for help in Bluffton cleaning basements for elderly residents and families with physically challenged individuals. Crews of two to four persons are needed for each basement. Set your own day to work. To sign-up please call the Red Cross at 260-403-7477 or 260-409-7481. If you know someone who has yet to sign up for e-HUM, they simply need to send a blank e-mail from their preferred e-mail account to add@inareaumc.org. e-HUM Alert copyright 2003 by Indiana Area United Methodist Communications. |
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