FEMA Says Temporary Housing Available For Delaware County Tornado Victims

Thursday, May 4th 2006, 6:20 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Delaware County residents who were affected by a tornado and high winds that tore through northern Oklahoma in March may be eligible to receive temporary housing, officials said.

Manufactured homes are available for placement on homeowners' property, officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said Wednesday.

The units are temporary and aren't intended as a permanent housing solution, officials stressed.

"This is another important step forward in providing all available federal and state assistance to Delaware County residents impacted by the storm," state coordinating officer Kathleen Shingledecker said in a news release.

Applicants have to meet three criteria to be eligible for the temporary housing program:

1. The home has already been inspected by a FEMA damage inspector;

2. The home sustained major damage or was destroyed, and

3. There must be private property on which the temporary manufactured home can be placed.

The deadline to apply for all forms of disaster assistance is June 12, officials said.

Anyone seeking information about the program can call 1-866-855-9079, 1-800-621-3362 or they can apply online.