SAN JUAN, PR -- More than $5.6 million in disaster assistance has been approved for Puerto Rico residents in little more than two weeks. More than 20,000 people have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to apply for grants and loans to cover damages related to severe storms and flooding September 21 - October 3.
Below is an update of disaster activity through the close of business on Thursday:
- 20,284 households and businesses have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- $5,641,153 in grants has been approved to individuals and households by FEMA and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
- 5, 539 people have visited 10 Disaster Recovery Centers in Cabo Rojo, Guayama, Humacao, Lajas, Maunabo, Patillas, Ponce, Salinas, Yabucoa, and Santa Isabel.
- 7,089 residences have been visited by 13 Community Relations teams. These teams go door-to-door encouraging residents to apply for federal disaster assistance and answer questions about the application process.
- 9,421 homes have been inspected to verify damage and check for disaster-related damages.
- 4,140 low-interest, long-term loan applications have been issued from the Small Business Administration to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes. Unfortunately, only 288 applications have been submitted.
Residents who have not registered for assistance are encouraged to apply by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) - use option 2 for Spanish (TTY 800-462-7585) - or by going online at www.FEMA.gov/spanish.
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.