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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/21/04
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PA committed to easing flood burden on communities
Senator Pippy lauds plan to have state cover matching fund requirement
Senator John Pippy, R-37th District, lauded an announcement that Pennsylvania will ease the financial burden on local flood-ravaged communities by covering the entire matching amount necessary to receive federal disaster relief funding.
"Our communities definitely suffered enough from the flooding caused by Tropical Depression Ivan," Senator Pippy said. "The Commonwealth is taking the correct step by moving to ease the burden on municipalities as they and their residents and business owners work to recover and repair the damage caused by that storm."
In a statement Wednesday, Governor Ed Rendell announced that total statewide damage estimates from Ivan are more than $264 million. The Governor also announced that the Commonwealth will cover the entire 25 percent match required for federal disaster aid funding.
"I applaud the governor for taking this step," Senator Pippy said. "Traditionally local and county governments were tabbed to provide about 3 percent of the money. That would be a burden on many of the communities along the Ohio River and Chartiers Creek that sustained serious flooding damage."
Earlier this month, Senator Pippy called on Governor Ed Rendell to assist Allegheny County in expediting a reassessment effort to reflect losses sustained by homeowners and small business owners. He also called on the Governor to use the state's existing economic funding programs to help areas that were designated as disaster areas as a result of the flooding.
About $140 million in state and federal disaster relief funding is earmarked for individuals with losses caused by Tropical Depression Ivan. Senator Pippy is urging local residents and business owners whose properties were damaged by Hurricane Ivan to file their claims for federal aid as soon as possible before the November 18 deadline.
"Allegheny and Washington counties and most communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania were approved for federal aid in September -- immediately after the storms and flooding," Senator Pippy said. "That gave local residents and business owners whose properties were damaged by Hurricane Ivan 60 days to apply for assistance."
Residents may apply for federal aid by calling toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA or TTY 1-800-621-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired. The lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Affected property owners may also request federal assistance online at www.fema.gov.
"I strongly urge everyone with property damage to apply for assistance," Senator Pippy said. "More than 4,000 Allegheny County properties were destroyed or severely damaged and about 200 buildings in Washington County were affected. Families saw their homes and memories destroyed. Small business owners saw their life's work deluged by flood and mud. That's why it is important that federal, state and local officials work together closely and quickly to help people get on with their lives and put the tragedies caused by Ivan behind them."
Homeowners, renters and business owners may qualify for assistance under several federal and state programs to meet disaster-related needs. Those who have applied and received a packet from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) need to complete and return the application.
In a related matter, low-income callers can receive free counseling and advice from a Pennsylvania-licensed attorney regarding their disaster-related legal issues under a service by the Young Lawyers Division of the Pennsylvania Bar Association in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Other callers will receive a referral to a local Pennsylvania-licensed attorney.
The service is available 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-932-0311 Ext. 2224.
Attorneys are available to assist Pennsylvania disaster victims in designated counties with legal services such as:
Ø Insurance claims for doctor and hospital bills, loss of property, loss of life, etc.
Ø Replacing wills, drafting powers of attorney and other legal documents lost in the disaster
Ø Help with home repair contracts and contractors
Ø Advice on landlord/tenant issues
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