ONLY ONE MORE WEEK LEFT TO CALL AND APPLY FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE

SPRINGFIELD - Only one week remains for Illinois residents and business owners to call and apply for state and federal assistance to replace losses from the March 11-13 severe storms and tornadoes, which struck central Illinois.

The deadline to call and apply for disaster assistance is May 27, 2006.

"We don't want anyone to miss out on the assistance they are entitled to," said Ron Sherman, FEMA's federal coordinating officer. "If you suffered damages as a result of the March 11-13 severe storms and tornadoes, please call and apply before the deadline."

Individuals and business owners in Sangamon, Greene and Morgan counties who sustained losses but still have not applied for assistance should do so by calling the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and multilingual operators are also available. People also may register online at FEMA's redesigned and user-friendly website: www.fema.gov.

 "This is our final effort to reach out to any disaster victims who still haven't applied," said William Burke, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. "Even if you have insurance, you may still be eligible for disaster assistance for under-insured losses."
 
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program.  FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.