Release Date: July 5, 2011
Release Number: 1994-015
» More Information on Massachusetts Severe Storms and Tornadoes
WESTFIELD, MA. -- More than $2.5 million in disaster assistance has been approved for survivors of the June 1 severe storms and tornadoes in Hampden and Worcester Counties, according to officials with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
As of July 4, close to 3,500 residents have registered for disaster assistance. Eligible applicants include homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained property damage stemming from the severe storms and tornadoes of June 1.
FEMA's Housing Assistance Program accounts for more than $1.4 million of the total assistance. It includes grants to help pay for rent and home repair or replacement. In addition, more than $1.1 million has been approved for the joint state-federal administered program, Other Needs Assistance. It covers grants for the repair or replacement of personal property, as well as reimbursements for medical, dental, funeral and transportation costs not covered by insurance.
MEMA and FEMA are encouraging residents affected by the severe storms and tornadoes in Hampden and Worcester Counties to apply for assistance even if they have insurance, registered with the state, reported damage to their local emergency manager, or contacted the Red Cross or other voluntary agencies.
There are several ways to register with FEMA:
- By phone, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EDT. Assistance is available in many languages. Those who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability may use TTY 1-800-462-7585;
- By computer, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov;
- By smartphone or tablet, use m.fema.gov.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 06-Jul-2011 16:04:04