April 7, 2014 LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS WORKING CLOSELY, INDIVIDUALLY WITH SR 530 SLIDE SURVIVORS AS RECOVERY CONTINUES IN WASHINGTON

Release date: 

APRIL 7, 2014

Release Number: 

NR 001

BOTHELL, Wash. – Local, State, and Federal partners continue working one-on-one with survivors of the State Route 530 Slide in Washington to ensure they receive all of the disaster assistance for which they may qualify.

To that end, Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – including bereavement and program area specialists – are meeting in person with survivors to learn more about their short-term and long-term needs due to the slide.

“We’re working with FEMA to quickly bring the next phase of federal and state assistance to help survivors and affected families. This aid is part of the overall resources they will need to start their long-term recovery,” said State Coordinating Officer Kurt Hardin.

Federal disaster assistance was made available to individuals in Snohomish County –

including the Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, and Tulalip Tribes – on April 2 when President Obama declared a major disaster for the State of Washington.

“We are determined to provide as much personalized attention as possible here to survivors of this heart-breaking tragedy,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Michael J. Hall. “Our goal is, when desired, to meet personally with each individual – whether they lost a loved one, their home or were severely impacted in some other way.”

Three Disaster Recovery Centers are open to assist survivors in Arlington, Darrington and near Oso. Local, State and Federal disaster recovery specialists are meeting face-to-face with disaster assistance applicants at the centers. Representatives of local, State and Federal agencies and nonprofits such as the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and the American Red Cross will be available to work directly with survivors. Representatives with the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the centers to explain about low-interest disaster loans for qualifying homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.    

Before visiting a center, applicants are encouraged to apply for disaster assistance. Registration is possible online or by phone or mobile device. To register online, visit: www.DisasterAssistance.gov or m.fema.gov. To register by phone, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Survivors who use TTY, should call1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. PDT, seven days a week.

www.fema.gov