Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of Governor Bob McDonnell
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2012
Contact: Jeff Caldwell
Phone: (804) 225-4260
Email: Jeff.Caldwell@Governor.Virginia.Gov
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Contact: Bob Spieldenner
Phone: (804) 674-2400
Email: bob.spieldenner@vdem.virginia.gov
FEMA Approves Earthquake Assistance for Albemarle and King George Counties
~Deadline to Register is March 5~
RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that individuals in Albemarle and King George are now eligible for federal disaster aid to help them recover from a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Virginia on Aug. 23 and led to more than 60 aftershocks.
FEMA denied Virginia’s original request for assistance for Albemarle and King George on Dec. 29, 2011. Governor McDonnell appealed and now the counties join Culpeper, Fluvanna, Goochland, Louisa, Orange and Spotsylvania counties and the city of Fredericksburg in eligibility for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program.
“I’m pleased that FEMA is providing assistance to help homeowners in these counties repair their homes, said Governor McDonnell. “The damage is significant and federal disaster assistance will make a difference.”
The federal Individual Assistance Program provides grants, disaster housing assistance and low-interest loans. Individuals and families in need of earthquake recovery aid can register immediately by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585, or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Online registration is available at any time. Those with smart phones or other mobile devices also can register at m.fema.gov. The deadline to register is March 5, 2012.
Residents also can visit one of the Disaster Recovery Centers Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They will close Feb. 11, 2012.
- Louisa County Disaster Recovery Center at Triangle Plaza, 502 E. Main St., Suite 6000 (former Video 2000 store), in Louisa.
- 8960 Courthouse Road in the Spotsylvania Courthouse
Business owners can apply to FEMA for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Those applying should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, social security number, address and phone number), insurance coverage and information to help substantiate losses.
Residents in areas of the state not eligible for FEMA assistance should contact their local emergency manager to learn about volunteer groups in their area. Volunteer groups have been active statewide during 2011, helping Virginians recover from disasters where state and federal governments have been unable to assist.
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