Federal Aid in North Dakota Now At $42.7 Million in Grants, Loans and Direct Aid

May 26, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D .- Federal aid in housing grants, disaster loans and direct federal assistance mission assignments now stands at $42.7 million, the Federal Emergency Management Agency reported today. As part of the $42.7 million, FEMA has obligated $24.48 million in 46 Mission Assignments to other federal agencies, including $15 million to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for removing temporary flood protection measures, such as earthen levees, sandbags and flood protection products.

There are more than 330 FEMA and other federal response and recovery personnel working to help citizens and local governments recover from the severe storms and flooding in March. As of May 25, 4,886 North Dakotans have registered for disaster assistance in the 41 counties designated for Individual Assistance. A total of 3,753 home inspections have been completed.

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In the Individuals and Households program, FEMA has approved $5,224,426 for housing-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources, with an additional $225,397 approved under Other Needs Assistance for other serious disaster-related expenses such as medical or personal property. To date, $138,183 has been disbursed in Disaster Unemployment Assistance to workers, including the self-employed and farmers and ranchers, whose employment was affected by the disaster.

The SBA has approved $6,212,200 in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and certain eligible private nonprofit organizations.

On the Public Assistance side, FEMA has obligated $6.46 million in funding as the 75 percent federal share to the state for disaster repairs by local, state and tribal governments and eligible nonprofit organizations. There are 240 eligible applicants currently requesting assistance. Deadline for applying is June 8, 2009.

North Dakotans have made 3,593 visits to the federal/state Disaster Recovery Centers located currently in Cavalier, Fessenden, Jamestown, Valley City, Fargo, Fort Totten and Devils Lake. Visit any one of the Disaster Recovery Centers; addresses are listed online at www.fema.gov/midwestfloods.

Residents who plan to stop by the DRC are urged, if possible, to register for assistance before their visit by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Registration is available daily from 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. CDT and 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. MDT until further notice. The call is free. Registration is available 24 hours online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Source: FEMA