From the Trussville Tribune staff reports
On Friday, April 27, the White House released a statement announcing President Trump approval of the Alabama Disaster Declaration.
Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Alabama and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and tornadoes during the period of March 19-20, 2018.
The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Calhoun, Cullman, and Etowah.
Assistance 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 also is available to the State, eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and tornadoes in the counties of Calhoun, Cullman, Etowah, and St. Clair.
Furthermore, Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Brock Long, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Thomas J. McCool as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
The White House also stated that additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.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 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.