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President Bush Declares Major Disaster
for Twelve Illinois Counties Hit by Tornadoes
The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced
on May 15, 2003 that President Bush has declared a major disaster
for Illinois, opening the way for the use of federal disaster funds
to help meet the recovery needs of families and businesses devastated
by the string of violent tornadoes and other extreme weather that
struck the state last week.
Michael D. Brown, FEMA (http://www.fema.gov/) Director and Under Secretary for the Emergency Preparedness and
Response Directorate, a part of the Department of Homeland Security,
said the President authorized the aid immediately after receiving
FEMA's analysis of the state's expedited request for federal relief.
The declaration covers damage to private property from severe storms,
tornadoes and flooding that occurred over the period of May 6-11.
"President Bush acted quickly in ordering disaster aid for Illinois
because he knows how destructive these storms have been," Brown
said. "FEMA will be there to do whatever it takes to help get all
those in need back on the road to recovery as fast as possible."
Following the declaration, Brown designated the following 12 counties
eligible for aid to stricken residents and business owners: Adams,
Alexander, Brown, Fulton, Hancock, Mason, Massac, Pope, Pulaski,
Schuyler, Tazewell and Woodford.
Working closely with the FEMA, HUD will:
- Provide Temporary Housing and Shelter - HUD will work
with FEMA to identify vacant public housing and HUD-owned homes
that can be used as temporary housing for those forced from their
homes;
- Grant Immediate Foreclosure Relief - HUD will grant a
90-day moratorium on foreclosures and forbearance on foreclosures
of Federal Housing Administration-insured homes, a move potentially
affecting nearly 3,000 homeowners;
- Redirect and Accelerate Federal Block Grants - HUD will
permit communities to divert Community Development Block Grants
(CDBG) and HOME funds for disaster recovery efforts;
- Provide Section 108 Loan Guarantees - HUD will permit
state and local governments participating in the CDBG program
to obtain federally guaranteed loans for housing rehabilitation,
economic development and repair of public infrastructure;
- Provide Public Housing Reserve for Disasters and Emergencies
- HUD will provide funding to public housing authorities to rehabilitate
storm-damaged properties after FEMA financing and insurance proceeds
have been exhausted;
- Make Available Single-Family Home Mortgage Insurance
- HUD's Section 203(h) program enables the FHA to insure mortgages
of disaster victims who have lost their homes and are in the process
of rebuilding or buying another home. Borrowers are eligible for
100 percent financing, including closing costs; and,
- Make Available Programs for Damaged or Destroyed Properties
- HUD's Section 203(k) loan program enables homebuyers and homeowners
who have lost their homes to finance both the purchase and/or
refinancing of a house and the cost of its rehabilitation through
a single mortgage. It also allows homeowners who have damaged
houses to finance the rehabilitation of their existing single-family
home. This program encourages lenders to make mortgages available
to borrowers who would not otherwise qualify for conventional
loans on affordable terms and to residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods.
In
addition, Brown said cost-shared funding will be available to the
state for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks. He
indicated that damage surveys are continuing, and additional counties
and assistance for state and local government agencies may be designated
later based on the results of the assessments.
Ron
Sherman of FEMA was named by Brown to coordinate the federal relief
effort. Sherman said affected residents and business owners in the
designated counties can begin the disaster application process by
calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing
and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will be available
starting Friday, May 16, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week
until further notice.
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