News Releases for September 2005
September 15, 2005
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Hoeven: State Delivering Essential Services As Evacuee Numbers Continue To Grow
Governor Urges Evacuees to Register for Essential Services
BISMARCK , N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today announced that 27 hurricane evacuees have registered with the state for essential services, including housing, health care, social services and employment. At Hoeven’s direction, the N.D. Department of Emergency Services is coordinating the state response for hurricane assistance. In all, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has registered 38 families in the state that have self-evacuated from hurricane stricken Gulf States.
North Dakota has offered to house and serve approximately 3,000 evacuees in 1,500 housing units throughout the state. Earlier this week FEMA announced it had discontinued scheduled evacuations, but may still need longer term housing.
“In the aftermath of the hurricane, we’re doing all we can to assist victims as they try to recover from the nation’s largest natural disaster,” Hoeven said. “The state’s network is already connecting evacuees with vital services, and we continue to urge anyone from the affected region to register with the state’s one-stop, toll-free number.”
Currently, 15 state, local and volunteer agencies, including resources of ND Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), ND League of Cities and the ND Community Action Association, are working together to meet the needs of evacuees arriving in North Dakota. State agencies are able to provide medical, mental health, housing, job placement, education services and other services. The resulting task force is working closely with FEMA to identify evacuees that have self-relocated to communities in North Dakota.
The toll-free hotline number for evacuees and host families to register for essential services in the state is 877-468-9407. The Hurricane Hotline is staffed 24/7. Callers will be assigned a case manager with the Community Action Agencies to help access services. Concerned citizens wishing to provide housing or furniture to hurricane evacuees living in North Dakota can register what they have available on the Governor’s web site at www.governor.nd.gov or by calling the Hurricane Hotline.
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