More than $60 million allotted for state storm, flood survivors

Enid News & Eagle (OK)

Jul. 26--State and federal assistance to help Oklahomans recover from recent severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding between May 7 and June 9, is nearly $64 million in combined funding from Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans and paid claims by National Flood Insurance Program.

FEMA's Individuals and Households Program approved more than $13.9 million in individual assistance for Oklahoma homeowners and renters. Individual assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.

Of the total approved so far, $11.9 million covers housing assistance. Of that, more than $2 million has been approved to help pay rent for those whose homes were not habitable after the storms. Another $1.9 million has been awarded for Other Needs Assistance, which helps with losses and disaster expenses, such as transportation, clothes for work and childcare.

Federal funding continues with $25.5 million that SBA has approved for low-interest disaster loans for homes and businesses across the 27 disaster-designated counties in Oklahoma. The loans cover home repairs, replacement of damaged physical assets and small business operating expenses, among other costs. FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program has already paid out more than $24 million.

The designated counties for eligible applicants are Garfield, Alfalfa, Canadian, Cherokee, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Kay, Kingfisher, Le Flore, Logan, Mayes, Muskogee, Noble, Nowata, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Rogers, Sequoyah, Tulsa, Wagoner Washington and Woods.

Affected residents and business owners in these counties may apply for disaster assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration number, (800) 621-3362 or TTY (800) 462-7585. An application may also be completed online by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov. Oklahomans have until Aug. 14 to register.

Applicants may also visit a state/federal mobile Disaster Recovery Center.

Recovery centers are located:

--Kingfisher County: Kingfisher County Fairgrounds, 300 S. 13th, Kingfisher; five days only; opens at 10 a.m.; closes COB July 30.

--Kay County: Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, 420 E. Grand, Ponca City; five days only; opens at 10 a.m.; closes COB July 29.

--Alfalfa County: Alfalfa County Fairgrounds, 602 W. 5th, Cherokee; two days only, opens at 10 a.m. July 30; closes COB Aug. 1.

--Woods County: Woods Fairgrounds -- Women's Building, 43294 Harper, Alva7; three days only, opens at 10 a.m. Aug. 5; closes COB Aug. 7.

The locations of all DRCs in Oklahoma can be found at fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator.

Low-interest disaster loans are available from the SBA to homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations. To apply for SBA low-interest disaster loans, applicants can visit their nearest disaster recovery center for one-on-one assistance or apply online using SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Applicants can also get information on SBA disaster assistance by calling SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, by visiting www.sba.gov/disaster, or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

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