FEMA and SBA continue to assist residents affected by disaster

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration are continuing their work helping those affected by this fall’s flooding and storm damage.  A federal disaster declaration was approved for eleven counties, including Lake County, in November. As of last week, or just a month after the disaster declaration was approved, federal agencies have provided more than six-and-a-half million dollars in grants and loans to assist in recovery.

In the first 30 days since the November 18th declaration for the eleven counties, FEMA has paid more than three million dollars for home repair and rental expenses, and more than 267-thousand dollars for repair or replacement of personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, moving expenses and other disaster-related needs.

Along with that, the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved a total of more than three-million dollars in low-interest loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.  Specifically in Lake County, SBA Public Information Officer Corey Williams said that there have been 29 home loan approvals for a total of just more than 885-thousand dollars, and one business loan approval for 20-thousand dollars.  

A Disaster Recovery Center remains open on South Highland Avenue in Madison for those seeking disaster assistance.  The deadline to contact FEMA and register for federal disaster assistance is January 17th. The Disaster Recovery Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m .until 6:00 p.m., but will be closed on New Year’s Day.