Hardee’s, from front left, McDonald’s and a Quality Inn were a few businesses in the path of the April 27 tornado in Ringgold, Ga. Many of the businesses along Alabama Highway were damaged.Federal disaster relief in tri-state area Ten area counties have received more than $31 million in disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Here are the number of applications received from individuals, the amount of money awarded in individual assistance and how much federal money has been obligated to local government agencies in public assistance. County Applications Funds awarded Federal funds Alabama Jackson 2,449 $2.39 million $1.34 million DeKalb 2,811 $4.58 million $218,010 Georgia Catoosa 1,013 $920,837 $5.25 million Dade 866 $1.08 million $2.83 million Walker 602 $323,141 $812,090 Tennessee Bledsoe 112 $464,739 $155,419 Bradley 1,624 $1.26 million $2.45 million Hamilton 2,437 $1.68 million $5.17 million McMinn 158 $135,884 $184,8121 Rhea 66 $330,165 $175,291 Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency About the storms NOAA’s National Weather Service ranks April 2011 as the most active tornado month on record, with 753 tornadoes across the U.S. There were an estimated 364 fatalities. The April 27 “Super Outbreak” spawned four intensely destructive EF5 tornadoes and launched an immediate response from local, state and federal agencies; voluntary, faith-based and community groups; the private sector; and the public. About the funds FEMA received disaster registrations from more than 119,000 individuals and families in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee. Nearly $257 million in federal disaster assistance was distributed to survivors in the form of grants and low-interest recovery loans as of Oct. 20. FEMA sent nearly $211 million to state agencies for public recovery and rebuilding projects. Because of the April 2011 disasters, more than $115 million in federal funds was set aside for local and state projects designed to save lives, protect property and save money in the future. Projects include community storm shelters, flood-prevention measures and building retrofits. Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Six months after the April tornadoes, more than $31 million in federal funds has been funneled to 10 of the hardest-hit counties in the tri-state area through Oct. 11 to help cover uninsured storm losses, according the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The money, allocated through FEMA, includes payments to individuals and funds promised to local and state governments for public assistance. It does not include Small Business Administration loans or funds from other federal agencies, such as grants from the U.S. Department of Labor to pay workers involved in recovery efforts.
Applications for individual assistance closed months ago, although some money still is being paid for rental housing and in appeals on denied applications, FEMA officials said.
Just more than $13 million in individual assistance for rent, rebuilding and recovery has been paid so far, with more than 12,000 applications filed.