MAHONING VALLEY FEMA to take applications for flood relief until Nov. 18

Disaster relief tops $9.3 million in the Mahoning Valley.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Residents and businesses in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties have until Nov. 18 to apply for federal disaster relief.
That includes grants for damage to homes and other types of assistance, such as replacing appliances, as well as low-cost loans from the Small Business Association.
The funds are available because of flood damage caused by a series of heavy rains in the Mahoning Valley in August and September.
Help is available for damage that occurred from Aug. 27 to Sept. 27.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency also said that people in Columbiana and Trumbull counties who applied for damage after floods in May and June must reapply if their property was damaged in August and September.
Disaster assistance for homes and allied assistance supplied by FEMA so far totals $2.7 million for the three counties. Figures were not available for SBA assistance.
Still interested in applying
Long after FEMA closed its disaster relief office, Jay Carter, the director of the Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency, said that his office was still getting calls about where to apply for relief.
Carter said the callers told him they had been distracted by one thing or another and hadn't found time to seek help.
People can apply 24 hours a day by calling (800) 621-3362. The hearing-impaired can call (800) 462-7585.
People may also apply online at the Web site www.fema.gov.
Amounts so far
So far, FEMA has received 498 applications for housing assistance in Columbiana County and approved 328 for $735,462. It also approved an additional 148 grants for $442,555.
Mahoning had 848 housing assistance applications, with 461 approved for $651,238. FEMA approved an additional 230 grants for $166,563.
Trumbull had 486 applications, with 261 grants approved for $520,975. An additional 149 grants were approved for $188,496.
Only Columbiana County was approved for disaster relief for damage to roads, bridges and other public property.
That application deadline has passed. Claims total about $6.6 million.
wilkinson@vindy.com