Disaster Assistance Available

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ralph Shrom

Monday, May 10, 2010 (609) 265-5028

DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE IN BURLINGTON COUNTY

Residents Impacted By Recent Storms and Floods May Be Eligible For Federal Aid


Burlington County residents whose homes were heavily damaged during the period of torrential rain storms and flooding that occurred between March 12 and April 15, 2010 now may be eligible to receive federal assistance for repairs, officials with the Burlington County Office of Emergency Management announced today.
Residents who may be eligible for individual assistance grants are encouraged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as soon as possible. This applies to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.
“We identified more than 300 homes that were impacted by the storms,” said Kevin Tuno, Burlington County Emergency Management Coordinator. “But FEMA is already out, canvassing areas that were affected, and passing out information to those who may not have been identified.”
To register for the assistance, residents may call FEMA’s toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY/TDD 1-800-462-7585 for people with speech and hearing disabilities (for relay service, call 711 or 1-800-852-7897) between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m., seven days a week.
Multi-lingual operators are available to answer calls during this time. Residents may also register online anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov.
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PRESS RELEASE: Disaster Assistance – 5/10/10 – Add One

To speed assistance, individuals should be ready to provide:
• Their current phone number.
• Their address at the time of the disaster and the address where they are now staying.
• Their Social Security number, if available.
• A general list of damages and losses they suffered.
• If insured, their insurance policy number, or the agent's and company name.
Individual assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs. Low interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Tuno said that, in addition to the toll-free number and website, a “walk-in” disaster center is expected to be set up within the next week at Hainesport Fire Company on Broad Street.