News Releases for September 2007
September 13, 2007
For further information, please contact Sean Neary (Conrad) (202) 224-204, Fran Benton (Dorgan) (202) 224-2551, Sandra Salstrom (Pomeroy) (202) 225-2611, Don Larson (Hoeven) (701) 328-2200
ND Leaders: Individual Assistance Secured for Northwood
Governor and Delegation Say Decision Will Bring Relief and Hope to Tornado Victims
WASHINGTON D.C. – Governor John Hoeven, Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan, and Congressman Earl Pomeroy today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the availability of Individual Assistance for the people of Northwood as they recover from the effects of a devastating tornado.
“We applaud FEMA’s decision to grant Individual Assistance to the people of Northwood,” the governor and delegation said in a joint statement. “The public assistance approved last week will help rebuild the town. This aid will further help the victims of this terrible disaster rebuild their lives.”
The decision will also trigger Small Business Administration disaster loans for businesses and homeowners.
Last week, officials from FEMA said that since 90 percent of the homes in Northwood were insured, homeowners would not likely qualify for Individual Assistance. However, the delegation and governor successfully argued that the homeowners should qualify for Individual Assistance, because many were underinsured with regard to rebuilding costs.
FEMA’s Individual and Household Program (IHP) provides financial assistance or direct services to qualifying individuals, often in the form of temporary housing and money for home repairs not covered by insurance, who have necessary expenses and serious needs.
Based on current estimates, nearly 40 percent of the homes in Northwood were significantly impacted by this disaster. At least 22 were completely destroyed and 46 had major damage.
Current estimates show $3.5 million in residential uninsured losses in the community, $2.5 million of which is on residential structures alone. Because residential damage assessments are ongoing, estimates of the extent of the damage are expected to grow.
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