JUNE 21 IS DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR ASSISTANCE FOR TUSHKA TORNADO
OKLAHOMA CITY – Survivors of Oklahoma’s April 14 storms and tornadoes in Atoka County have just two weeks left to register for state and federal disaster assistance.
Tuesday, June 21, is the last day to begin the assistance process by contacting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It is also the deadline to return any loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained property damage in Atoka County should contact FEMA and register before time runs out.
“Registration is the first step to getting help from FEMA, the SBA and the State but time is running out,” said Director of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Albert Ashwood. “We want everyone who is eligible to receive assistance to get that help as soon as possible.”
“When it comes to disaster assistance, please don’t prejudge your eligibility” said Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) William J. Doran III. “If you sustained property damage and haven’t registered yet, please do so today.”
Oklahomans can register for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. They can also apply for assistance, ask questions or check on the status of an application by dialing FEMA's Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. The toll-free numbers are staffed from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Help in all languages is available.
To date, more than $1.5 million in state/FEMA grants have been approved for Oklahomans recovering from the storms. The SBA has approved almost $1.525 million in federal disaster loans to Oklahoma residents affected by the disaster.
SBA’s low-interest disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations who suffered damage during the April 14 storms and tornadoes. Loans up to $200,000 are available to qualified homeowners to repair or replace real estate; loans up to $40,000 are available to homeowners and renters to repair/replace personal property; and, loans up to $2 million are available to qualified business owners and nonprofit organizations to cover their property and economic losses. For more information, call the SBA at 1-800-659-2955, or visit their Web site at www.sba.gov.
The SBA loan application also can be the gateway to further assistance. If the SBA is unable to approve a loan, the applicant may be referred back to FEMA for other disaster aid.
For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click on http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=14132 or www.oem.ok.gov. Information can also be accessed via smart phone at m.fema.gov.
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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
The U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private, non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.
These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call the Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).
