~ Baker, Bradford, Collier, Gadsden, Glades, Hardee, Hendry and Union to receive Public Assistance following Tropical Storm Fay~

TALLAHASSEE – Additional Florida counties are now eligible for Individual Assistance as a result of the flooding rains and severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Fay.

The additional declaration will provide disaster assistance to survivors in Hendry, Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Volusia Counties. Gadsden, Glades, Hardee, Hendry and Union counties have been added on to receive Public Assistance programs.

“As Floridians across our state are picking up after Tropical Storm Fay, our unified efforts continue to bring additional resources and programs on-line, “said Governor Charlie Crist. “Again we thank our federal partners for the rapid response to our additional requests.”

Individual Assistance programs provide a broad range of disaster assistance resources to eligible residents and businesses in the declared areas. Federal teams will be setting up operations in Disaster Recovery Centers to help survivors through the application process.

Public Assistance programs provide local governments with funds to recoup response costs, debris removal, and rebuilding of public facilities and infrastructure.

Residents and business owners in the declared areas are encouraged to contact the FEMA Tele-registration Line at: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

Call TTY 1-800-462-7585 for people with speech or hearing disabilities.

For additional information on Tropical Storm Fay and the State Emergency Response Team, please visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management online at: www.FloridaDisaster.org.