TALLAHASSEE, Fla. /Florida Newswire/ -– Governor Charlie Crist today announced that 12 North Florida counties have been approved to receive Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as a result of the severe storms and flood events occurring from March 26, 2009 and continuing today.

“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.