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Feds offer disaster aid for storm damage
(Published September 22, 2003)

D.C. residents and businesses may apply for federal disaster assistance to help cover the costs of some unanticipated expenses incurred from the effects of Hurricane Isabel.

President George Bush included the District of Columbia Sept. 20 in a declaration of disaster areas related to Isabel hitting the North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland coastlines Sept. 18 and traveling inland.

Affected residents and business owners in the District may begin the application process by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA, or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for hearing and speech impaired individuals. The telephone assistance lines will be available from 7 a.m. to midnight seven days a week until further notice, according to an announcement issued by Mayor Anthony A. Williams’ office.

High winds from the tropical storm that hit the District late in the day Sept. 18 caused extensive power outages and telephone problems. Officials said most of the problems resulted from trees being toppled, taking electric and phone lines with them. At least 300 trees were reported down throughout the District, as well as more than 300 traffic lights out. Low-lying areas also flooded.