Huntsville, Ala. - U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer (D-Ala.) joined local Emergency Management Agency and National Weather Service officials to discuss the extent and coverage of the severe weather that occurred in early May.  He also discussed with SBA and FEMA officials the types of disaster assistance available and the application process for victims of the severe weather events.

"The extent of the weather damage here was devastating," said Cramer.  "Times like these are exactly why we need our Huntsville WFO and their coordination with local EMA's.  Fortunately, John Gordon and his team were able to give most folks here in North Alabama enough time to prepare or get somewhere safe before the real severe weather hit." 

The WFO issued 21 tornado warnings during the severe weather event.  There were 15 tornado events with damage that hit North Alabama, each with an average lead time of 13 minutes.  The counties which had the most damage from tornadoes, which were Colbert, Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Jackson, and DeKalb Counties, had an average tornado warning lead time of 25 minutes.  The average lead time for flash flood warnings was 50 minutes for the counties hardest-hit by the flooding.

Cramer continued, "The President has declared 10 of the 11 counties covered by the Huntsville WFO federal disaster areas.  This makes individuals, businesses and governments eligible for some financial assistance from the federal government. While these kinds of things can never make up for the losses experienced by folks whose loved ones were injured or their homes and property were damaged, it helps that we can get some financial assistance from the federal government to try to recover. "

Businesses, individuals and governments are all eligible to receive help from FEMA.  Disaster victims interested in receiving federal assistance should contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-FEMA, or 1-800-621-3362.  Congressman Cramer's office can also be contacted for help with the application process.  Additionally, small businesses who were hurt by the weather can apply for disaster loans from the Small Business Administration.  Victims seeking SBA loan assistance for physical damage must apply through FEMA by July 11, 2003; victims seeking assistance for economic injury should apply by February 12, 2004.