Disaster Recovery Aid Tops $562M for Hurricane Rita in Texas

Families and individuals who suffered damage from Hurricane Rita have received more than $562 million in assistance from state, federal, local and voluntary agencies. These agencies are working in partnership to continue to help affected Texas residents.

Recovery services summary as of 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, include:

* 476,923 individuals have registered for Individual Assistance.
* $549,309,434 has been approved through the Individuals and Household Program. Of that, FEMA has provided $486,456,502 in Individual Assistance and $62, 852,932 in Other Needs Assistance.
* $13,639,800 in loans has been approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA).
* 339,312 people have visited the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs). Individuals affected by Hurricane Rita may go to the seven DRCs to have questions answered about disaster assistance in person.
* 320,608 home inspections have been requested. The 252 inspectors in the field have completed 96 percent.
* 80 percent of the debris from Hurricane Rita has been removed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), cities and counties have hauled away an estimated 6.8 million cubic yards of debris with 1.7 million cubic yards pending removal.
* 2,955 requests for travel trailers have been received. Some 1,637 units are occupied. Accessible units with a wider entrance, handrails, and low-step tub entry also are available.
* $354.69 million in Public Assistance has been obligated by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The funds will be used by the State of Texas to reimburse local governments and agencies for eligible and documented debris removal, temporary sheltering, interim housing and emergency protective measures associated with Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.