Cass dubbed disaster

Published 6:41 pm Friday, July 2, 2004

By Staff
WASHINGTON -- The White House Office of the Press Secretary Thursday reported President George W. Bush declared a major disaster exists in Michigan, including Cass County.
He ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding May 20-24.
The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Barry, Berrien, Cass, Genesee, Gladwin, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Mecosta, Oakland, Ottawa, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph and Wayne counties.
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 effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-share basis for hazard mitigation measures in the counties of Arenac, Barry, Berrien, Cass, Genesee, Gladwin, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Van Buren and Wayne.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, named Marianne Jackson as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.
The agency said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
The agency said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance today by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.
The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.