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PRESIDENT DECLARES DISASTER FOR VIRGINIA - Virginia Earthquake

Virginia Earthquake

PRESIDENT DECLARES DISASTER FOR VIRGINIA

Date: November 4, 2011
No.: HQ-11-215


News Release
PRESIDENT DECLARES DISASTER FOR VIRGINIA
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the Commonwealth of Virginia and ordered federal aid to supplement commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area affected by an earthquake during the period of August 23 to October 25, 2011.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Louisa County.
Assistance can 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 is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Donald L. Keldsen has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Keldsen said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the commonwealth and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated county can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://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 a.m. to 10 p.m. (eastern time) seven days a week until further notice.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
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11/5/11

Accent theme by Handsome Code

Summary: United States Geological Survey reports 5.8 magnitude earthquake impacted Virginia at 1351. Epicenter was located approximately 4 miles south-southeast of Louisa, VA; 4 miles southwest of Mineral, VA; 41 miles northwest of Richmond, VA; and 83 miles southwest of Washington, DC. Depth of earthquake is report at approximately .6 mile.

FEMA has approved federal disaster assistance for individuals, renters and business owners in Louisa County who experienced damage as a result of a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Virginia on Aug. 23 and caused more than 40 aftershocks. The governor appealed FEMA’s initial decision to deny federal disaster aid to Louisa County.

Since the original request was made Sept. 20, officials have found more extensive damage than what was originally reported in more than 1,400 homes. Some damage that was first categorized as minor has become worse as a result of more than 40 aftershocks. The appeal included a letter from Virginia’s entire congressional delegation supporting the request.

Individuals and families in need of earthquake recovery aid can register immediately by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) Monday –Friday from 6 a.m. – midnight Central time, 7 a.m. – 1 a.m. Eastern time, and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Eastern time. People also can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov . Those with smart phones or other mobile devices also can register at m.fema.gov.

Get current information on Hurricane Irene in the Disaster Blog .

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