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United States Government Response and Recovery to the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

Release Date: 09/20/05 00:00:00

For Immediate Release

Office of the Press Secretary

Contact: 202-282-8010

September 20, 2005

Federal support to state and local officials, volunteer organizations, victims and their families who have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina continues around the clock in an effort to provide recovery support to those affected by this unprecedented natural disaster. Federal assistance to households will help them get on the road to recovery. The following facts provide an update to some of the important activities and approximate numbers as of 2 p.m. EDT:  

Household Assistance Funds

  • September 10, 2005: 330,000 Households – $690 million
  • September 11, 2005: 367,000 Households – $758 million
  • September 12, 2005: 393,000 Households – $819 million
  • September 13, 2005: 430,000 Households – $966 million
  • September 14, 2005: 465,000 Households – $1 billion
  • September 15, 2005: 509,000 Households – $1.1 billion
  • September 16, 2005: 539,000 Households – $1.3 billion
  • September 19, 2005: 593,000 Households - $1.4 billion
  • September 20, 2005: 601,000 Households - $1.4 billion

    (Figures represented above are cumulative totals to date.)

    View Chart  (PDF, 1 page – 23 KB)

FEMA in coordination with the State of Texas, is beginning the relocation of 8,160 evacuees from Hurricane Katrina, who are currently located in Texas, to other states to secure them from the impending path of Hurricane Rita. As with the earlier evacuation to Texas food, water and shelter and other necessities will be provided in their new locations.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is administered by FEMA, announced today it has waived the usual requirement that policyholders must submit a proof-of-loss and instead where the policyholder agrees, will rely on a report by the claims adjuster.  Additionally, the NFIP has urged insurance companies to provide advance checks of around $3,000 to policyholders who carry contents coverage. A listing of insurance company phone numbers, along with additional insurance information, is also available at www.fema.gov/business/nfip/.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) working with Public Housing Authorities across the country have identified 34,000 vacant units for displaced public housing residents and have agreed to accept rental vouchers from HUD-assisted families from the Gulf region. HUD is also waiving certain regulations in the department’s block grant programs in order to allow affected communities to use existing funds for emergency housing and service programs.

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This page was last modified on 09/20/05 00:00:00