Federal Disaster Aid Available for Colorado

The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for Colorado to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and tornadoes on May 22.

FEMA Administrator David Paulison said the President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Larimer and Weld counties.

Paulison said that FEMA 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 the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

All counties in the state of Colorado are eligible to apply for assistance under Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Paulison named Kenneth Tingman as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Tingman said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated county can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.fema.gov or 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. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.