Disaster News

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Small Business Administration

February 23, 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma residents affected by recent severe storms and tornadoes already have been approved for more than three quarters of a million dollars in federal grants for temporary housing and home repairs, state and federal officials announced today.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) urge Oklahoma individuals, families and business owners who live in disaster-declared Carter, Logan and Oklahoma counties and suffered damages from the severe storms and tornadoes Feb. 10-11 to apply for disaster assistance grants and low-interest SBA loans.

Recovery summary as of close of business Feb. 22, 2009:

• 248 residents have registered for Individual Assistance in Oklahoma.
• $660,412 in Individual Assistance has been approved for temporary housing and home repairs.
• $121,189 has been approved for other disaster needs such as transportation, medical and dental expenses, moving and storage fees, and replacement or repair of personal property.
• 140 home inspections have been completed.
• 89 individuals have visited the Disaster Recovery Center in Lone Grove.

Homeowners, renters and business owners with damages from recent storms and tornadoes can register for assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number, 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Registration also can be done online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Telephone registration is available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST seven days a week. Registration can be accomplished online anytime.

Homeowners, renters and business owners can receive information about SBA disaster loans and obtain help with the application process by calling the SBA at 800-659-2955 or

(TTA) 800-877-8339, by visiting the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or face to face with an SBA customer services representative at a Disaster Recovery Center.

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