FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 29, 2012
CONTACT: Bob Spieldenner
(804) 674-2400 bob.spieldenner@vdem.virginia.gov
(804) 674-2400 bob.spieldenner@vdem.virginia.gov
FEMA denies disaster assistance for Accomack County
RICHMOND, Va. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Virginia’s request for Individual Assistance to help property owners in Accomack County affected by Hurricane Sandy.“I am disappointed that residents of Accomack County will not receive the federal disaster relief they desperately need in the wake of Hurricane Sandy,” said Governor Bob McDonnell. “I personally visited the county in the days after the storm and met individually with a number of citizens who suffered severe flooding and damage from the storm. They need federal help.
Unfortunately, that help has not been approved. We will continue to look for all ways by which to help our fellow Virginians in need. One means is through donations to the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund, and I encourage Virginians who want to help the residents of Accomack to use the fund to get involved and help out.”
The federal Individual Assistance Program would have made funding available to homeowners, renters and businesses in the form of low-interest loans and grants, unemployment assistance, disaster housing assistance and crisis counseling.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management will make a recommendation to Governor McDonnell on whether to appeal FEMA’s denial or to apply for disaster assistance from the Small Business Administration.
If a request for SBA assistance is approved, loans up to $200,000 would be available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters would be eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and nonprofit organizations of any size could apply for loans up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management will make a recommendation to Governor McDonnell on whether to appeal FEMA’s denial or to apply for disaster assistance from the Small Business Administration.
If a request for SBA assistance is approved, loans up to $200,000 would be available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters would be eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and nonprofit organizations of any size could apply for loans up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
Tax deductible donations to the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund may be made at https://payments.vi.virginia.gov/donatenow.
