President Barack Obama declared Volusia County a federal disaster area, following heavy rains which caused severe flooding of homes and property.
The President’s statement issued on Wednesday, said:
“The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, tornadoes, and straight-line winds beginning on May 17, 2009, and continuing.”
With the federal disaster declaration, federal funding will be available for those residents who suffered damages during the floods.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Jeffery L. Bryant as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.
Beginning Thursday, Residents affected by the floods can apply for aid on line at http://www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA.
