FEMA concerned hurricane victims running out of time for aid
By Times Staff Writer
Published October 29, 2004
The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Friday that he's worried the agency hasn't reached everyone affected by Florida's four hurricanes and the deadline for aid is six weeks away.
Michael Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response and head of FEMA, said Friday that hundreds continue to call in to FEMA to get housing or other aid each day. More than 500 people affected by Hurricane Charley - the first of four hurricanes this summer - called for aid this week.
Aid to Floridians topped $2-billion this week. At the same time, Brown said people who need help are being missed.
"I worry about the people who have given up," he said.
Brown said 2,500 FEMA employees remain in Florida to help. To get help with temporary housing, or for assistance with uninsured losses, Brown encouraged people with storm damage to call 800 621-FEMA or to go to www.fema.gov
