THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 2, 1996 TAG: 9611020271
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE AND KENNAN NEWBOLD, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: 58 lines
While Hurricane Fran largely spared Hampton Roads, some residents of the region's western sections were not so lucky with the Sept. 6 storm, and the federal government is moving to assist them.
Last week, President Clinton expanded disaster declarations to include Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Williamsburg and Newport News, as well as several other cities and counties in eastern and central Virginia.
In the wake of that action, the Virginia Department of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are moving to make affected residents aware of what assistance is available.
``Sometimes, a disaster's impact is not immediately visible,'' Beth Goldenberg, a FEMA spokeswoman, said Friday.
Locally, no buildings were crushed, no highways washed out. But crops did suffer from the heavy rains, and some watermen have lost work. And others also may be paying a price.
Renters, homeowners and business operators in the newly designated disaster areas are eligible for a variety of state and federal assistance programs to help deal with Fran's effects.
Disaster housing assistance - Assists those whose homes were destroyed or made uninhabitable with funds for temporary accommodations or minimal repairs needed to make a structure safe and habitable.
Low-interest loans - The U.S. Small Business Administration makes loans available to home owners, renters or business operators for the repair, replacement or rebuilding of damaged property.
Grants - For those who have serious, immediate needs resulting from the disaster that cannot be met by other sources.
Unemployment benefits - For those who have been left without income because of the disaster, benefits of up to $224 a week for up to 26 weeks are available to those whose workplace was put out of operation by the storm; who are unable to travel to the workplace because of storm damage; who are self-employed and their business has been affected by the storm; or who are unable to work due to injury.
The first step people should take is to call 800-462-9029 to be referred to the proper agency for assistance.
It takes between 7 and 10 days for an inspector to confirm damages, so those in need are urged to apply quickly. The deadline to apply for assistance is Dec. 23.
Those accepted for assistance will receive a letter telling them what they are eligible for and how they can use any money they'll receive.
As of Oct. 26, 5,507 individuals have registered for disaster assistance in Virginia, and more than $10 million in aid has been approved.
FEMA also is urging people who escaped Fran to be certain they are prepared for future threats, especially flooding, damage from which is seldom covered by normal insurance policies. The National Flood Insurance Program is designed to protect property owners from losses due to flooding.
For information about the National Flood Insurance Program, call 800-427-4661.
KEYWORDS: FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FLOODING VIRGINIA by CNB