Anniston, Ala. – Recovery in the Alabama communities affected by the tornadoes and storms of March 19-20 has topped $6.65 million in federal disaster assistance as FEMA announces a grant in excess of $940,000 (federal share) to the State of Alabama that will reimburse the City of Jacksonville for debris removal. With state and local contributions added, the grant will amount to more than $1.25 million.
The grant for the City of Jacksonville is the second to be awarded through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. The first FEMA PA grant of over $755,000 (federal share) went to Jacksonville State University to reimburse the school for its debris removal efforts. The total grant amount is in excess of one million dollars.
In addition to JSU and the City of Jacksonville, Alabama Emergency Management and FEMA Pubic Assistance personnel are working on developing projects with a total of 22 applicants in Calhoun, Cullman, Etowah and St. Clair counties. These four counties are approved in the presidential disaster declaration for Public Assistance help to repair or replace infrastructure damaged or destroyed during the March 19-20 events.
Through July 8, FEMA Individual Assistance grants to Alabama survivors in the designated counties of Calhoun, Cullman and Etowah have surpassed $696,000. These Individual Assistance grants are for housing repair, personal property and other expenses.
- Over 640 damaged properties have been inspected within Calhoun, Cullman and Etowah counties, the three counties designated as eligible for Individual Assistance.
- More than $511,000 has been approved for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
- More than $185,200 has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
Additionally, more than $4.25 million in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.