“This news is welcome relief for our fellow Floridians who are picking up the pieces and beginning the recovery process as the flood waters recede,” said Governor Crist. “We greatly appreciate the favorable response from FEMA to our additional request.”

People in Calhoun, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Lafayette, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Walton and Washington counties who were affected by the storms are now eligible for individual assistance. Additional counties may be added in the future once assessments are completed for Individual and Public Assistance.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program can help eligible applicants with temporary housing assistance, uninsured personal property and medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other disaster-related experiences and serious needs.

Anyone who suffered damages in any of the designated counties may complete an online application at www.disasterassistance.gov or apply by phone by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for the hearing or speech-impaired.

The toll-free numbers are available seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice. Help in other languages is available.

Today’s announcement is in addition to the initial Presidential Declaration on April 21, 2009, which provided Public Assistance funds to help rebuild local infrastructure (roads and bridges) and to reimburse response costs in Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington counties.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management and State Emergency Response Team (SERT) coordinate disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation programs with all 67 counties and the federal government. For more information and to GET A PLAN! please visit www.FloridaDisaster.org

FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

“We are very grateful to the President and FEMA for this declaration,“ said Governor Crist. “These disaster programs are vital to the economic recovery of the communities that have been impacted by the severe weather and flooding.”

Public Assistance funds will provide necessary aid to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged infrastructure.

Joint damage assessment teams are continuing their work across North Florida today. It is anticipated that additional counties will also become eligible for federal assistance programs as the water levels recede and damage assessments can be safely conducted.

After these additional assessments are completed it is anticipated that the state will request Individual Assistance to include households in addition to Public Assistance. These programs provide a variety of relief aid in the form of loans and grants designed to help survivors get back on their feet following a disaster.

“This is just the first round of assistance we are pursuing to continue the recovery process,” said Ruben D. Almaguer, State Coordinating Officer for Florida. “In the days and weeks to come, we will be sending additional requests to FEMA to help provide assistance to the flood survivors across northern Florida.”

For additional information on the Florida State Emergency Response Team and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, please visit www.FloridaDisaster.org .

All students, teachers and parents can find educational information and free downloadable materials at: www.KidsGetAPlan.com

And for the latest daily situation and flash reports go to: www.YouTube.com/FloridaSERT