Senator Kit Bond

Press Release

BOND ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $8 MILLION IN GRANTS/LOANS FOR TORNADO-DAMAGED COUNTIES TO DATE

Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Wednesday, May 28, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC –– U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced that to date, more than $8 million in federal disaster assistance grants and loans have been approved for people in counties damaged by the week-long assault of tornados that swept Missouri beginning May 4.

"The more than $8 million in federal funds for Missourians devastated by the tornados is a good start to help these families begin to recover," said Bond. "I have been pleased with the federal government's swift response in aiding these communities."

The following is a summary of recovery services:

* Of the more than $8.1 million approved in grants and loans for Missourians affected by the disaster, $2.17 million is for Housing Assistance grants for minimal home repairs, direct housing, and temporary rental assistance not covered by insurance. Another $2.55 million in grants has been approved for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This may include medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage expenses;

* The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $3,435,700 in low-interest loans to Missourians affected by the disaster. Low-interest loans from the SBA are the primary form of federal disaster assistance for long-term recovery for homeowners, renters and non-farm businesses of all size;

* 5,093 individuals in disaster-declared Missouri counties have called the toll-free number (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or the TTY number 800-462-7585. Applications are taken by phone seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., until further notice. Multi-lingual operators are available;

* 2,181 home inspections have been completed by FEMA inspectors. If an applicant is also being considered for an SBA loan, he or she will receive a second inspection by SBA personnel;

* The deadline to apply to FEMA for individual disaster assistance is July 7, 2003. Deadlines for other disaster assistance programs may vary;

* Free counseling, legal, and tax assistance services are available to individuals and business owners who suffered losses in the disaster. Crisis Counseling services are funded by FEMA and coordinated by the Missouri Department of Mental Health. Those interested in crisis counseling should call 800-494-7355 or 800-811-4760. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows federal income tax deductions for under-insured or uninsured casualty losses on homes, personal property and household goods. For more information, call the IRS at 800-829-1040. Disaster legal services include assistance with insurance claims, landlord/tenant and other housing problems, home repair contracts, and replacement of legal documents. For information about disaster legal services, call 888-234-5695;

* A total of 1535 people have visited a Disaster Recovery Center to learn about federal and state disaster assistance programs. Disaster Recovery Centers are now open in Battlefield, Camdenton, Canton, Carl Junction, Desoto, Jackson, Mt. Vernon, Stockton, and Kansas City. Those affected by the disaster are encouraged to visit a recovery center to talk face-to-face with a recovery specialist and to check on the status of their applications. For the address of the center nearest you, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

The following is a list of Missouri counties currently designated as federal disaster areas, along with the number of applications for disaster assistance received to date per county: Disaster Counties Total Applications Received

Audrain 1 Franklin 87 Perry 0

Barry 27 Greene 167 Pettis 8

Barton 48 Henry 1 Pike 16

Bates 0 Hickory 3 Platte 122

Benton 1 Howard 31 Polk 104

Bollinger 2 Jackson 50 Pulaski 36

Boone 24 Jasper 520 Ralls 0

Buchanan 0 Jefferson 1,395 Randolph 0

Callaway 4 Johnson 4 Ray 0

Camden 135 Knox 4 Saline 13

Cape Girardeau 167 Laclede 0 Scott 25

Cass 16 Lafayette 2 Shelby 4