FEMA grants available for storm assistance

Area residents with storm damage from the May 8-16 storms can register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance.

Within seven days of the official declaration, $547,000 was approved for Missouri, mostly for temporary housing and home repairs.

Grants are available for homeowners and renters for disaster-related expenses such as temporary housing, repairs or replacement of personal property.

Loans are available for homeowners, renters and businesses and non-profit organizations through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in partnership with FEMA.

A public assistance disaster declaration provides aid for repair, restoration, reconstruction or replacement for organizations or infrastructure damaged by the storm.

Eligible private non-profit organizations include those serving the following community needs: education, utilities, irrigation, emergency services, medical services, rehabilitation and temporary or permanent custodial care facilities (including those for the aged or disabled). Other essential services provided by private non-profit organizations such as power, water, sewer, wastewater treatment, communications and emergency medical care also should apply to the SBA for a disaster loan.

Counties included in the disaster declaration are: Adair, Barry, Barton, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Madison, Newton, Ozark, Polk, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Francois, Shannon, Texas, Washington, and Webster.

A FEMA team member will provide inspections for individuals without insurance after they register with the organization.

If reconstruction or cleanup has already begun, photos, receipts, and contractor estimates should be provided to the inspector.

A disaster recovery center may be established for the area later, but residents and organizations
can contact FEMA and the SBA directly.

Homeowners and renters can register with FEMA by Internet at www.disasterassistance.  gov or from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. by telephone at 800-621-FEMA (3362).

For more information on the SBA disaster loan program, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or visit their Web site at: www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.