$2.98 MILLION APPROVED FOR FERNLEY RESIDENTS

February 1, 2008

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Families, individuals and businesses in Lyon County suffering damage from the Jan. 5-10 severe winter storms and flooding have been approved to receive more than $2.98 million in disaster assistance, officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Nevada Division of Emergency Management (NDEM) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today. As of the close of business, Jan. 30:

FEMA has approved more than $1,750,200 in disaster housing assistance and Other Needs Assistance (ONA). Disaster housing assistance includes temporary rental assistance and funds to make essential home repairs. ONA may pay for items and services such as medical and dental care, transportation expenses and household items and clothing.
More than 320 individuals and families affected by recent flooding have registered for assistance through FEMA's toll-free registration line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585 or by going online to www.fema.gov. Recovery specialists can assist with the registration process, provide counsel on assistance programs and also check on the status of an application.
More than 580 residents have visited the Fernley Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). The DRC is located at Fernley City Hall, 595 Silver Lace Blvd., Fernley.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $1,234,500 in disaster loan assistance. The SBA is the primary source of federal funds for long-term disaster recovery for owners of private property, including homeowners, renters, non-farm businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations. These low-interest loans cover costs of repair or replacement of damaged real estate, personal property and business assets not fully covered by insurance or other aid.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal rights. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.

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For information on FEMA, go to www.fema.gov.

For information on SBA, go to www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.