Posted Friday, July 25 --- 6:40pm

Press Release from Wisconsin Emergency Management & Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Madison, Wis. – Ninety eight percent of Wisconsin homes with reported damage from storms and flooding June 5 through July 24 have now been inspected state and federal emergency managers said today. The more than 31,000 inspections have led to more that $54 million in disaster assistance. Assistance through FEMA grants continues to increase by half-a-million dollars a day.

“We’re pleased that our inspectors have been able to complete nearly all of their assigned cases despite the challenges of continuing storms and areas where flood waters have been very slow to recede,” said Dolph Diemont, federal coordinating officer in Wisconsin for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “We are pushing hard to complete all inspections as soon as possible. In areas that are still flooded, we are doing partial inspections, by boat if necessary, and we continue to provide rental assistance to people who still are displaced.”

Recovery summary as of close of business July 24:

· $34.6 million in Individual Assistance has been distributed in FEMA grants for temporary housing and repair and replacement of storm-damaged housing (see attachment 1 for eligible applicant numbers and disaster assistance by counties);

· $4.6 million has been provided in FEMA grants for other disaster needs such as transportation, medical and dental expenses, moving and storage fees, and replacement or repair of personal property;

· $15 million has been approved by The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and business owners;

· 35,372 residents have registered for assistance in the 30 Wisconsin counties declared eligible for individual disaster aid;

· 31,547 home inspections have been completed;

· 7,193 residents have been advised by FEMA mitigation specialists on flood insurance, rebuilding to reduce future disaster damage, health and safety issues, and state and federal aid programs.

· 8,228 individuals have visited Wisconsin Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs), ten of which are still open.

Residents of Sauk and Waukesha Counties have until 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26, to visit a nearby DRC. These centers have met the immediate needs of disaster-affected residents in these areas and are closing.

Residents may visit any of the eight DRCs that will remain open to receive assistance with applications and for information on federal and state disaster aid programs. Homeowners, renters and business owners can visit any of the five SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers or Business Recovery Centers currently operating in Columbia, Fond du Lac, Grant, Milwaukee, Sauk and Waukesha counties.

Wisconsin Emergency Management, FEMA and SBA officials urge Wisconsin individuals, families and business owners who live in disaster-declared counties and whose property was damaged by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from June 5 to July 24 to apply for disaster-assistance grants and low-interest SBA loans.

Residents can register or update their information by calling the toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairment. Lines are open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. CDT. Residents also may register online 24 hours a day until the Aug.13 deadline at www.fema.gov.

Homeowners, renters and business owners can receive information about SBA disaster loans and obtain help with the application process by calling the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339, by visiting the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov, or by talking to an SBA customer service representative at any DRC, Disaster Loan Outreach Center or Business Recovery Center.

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.